It seems that for the last six years of their career, LAZARUS A.D. have been trying to make their Metal in a kind of way that will reach out to as many types of Metalheads as possible. Being around modern American Metal, Groove (post-Thrash), old school Thrash and even some Hardcore, ensured them as an interesting act to follow on. Let's just say that they don't lack amplitude.

Through Metal Blade Records, the band issues its sophomore release, "Black Rivers Flow", the follow up of their great debut, "The Onslaught". Probably what was invigorating in this new thing was the diversity. In most of the album, LAZARUS A.D. didn't try to go head on with what was popular for the new age listeners. They gave a pretty good reason why old schoolers should try to take this one on as well. Old school thrashers or other Metal fans will probably be impressed as I did. Don't let the great modern production fool you on what will come next, these guys are talented as they followed through the Metal sub-genres, swinging between harshness, class and a semi-sense of melody.

Nevertheless, not everything here I found to my liking. This foursome crew blasted with a few great tracks while leaving the others as average. In the tracks that amazed me like "The Ultimate Sacrifice", "Black Rivers Flow", "American Dreams" and "The Strong Prevail", I found myself listening to PANTERA, MACHINE HEAD, OVERKILL and possibly bits of the new era of METALLICA, even I don't recognize the latter as real Metal anymore. In comparison, "Through Your Eyes", "Eternal Vengeance" and "Light A City (Up In Smoke)", were appealing and sometimes harsh to the Metalcore area, especially the first of the three, and have potential. Yet, they didn't connect the dots of this album that much as the first four did so well.

From what I can tell, and I hope it won't happen, LAZARUS A.D. are probably on their way to become another New American Metal act. "Black Rivers Flow" surly shows intentions of doing so. However, let me stop you right there. This album is worth of listening as there are old roots still connected to it. It would really be great if LAZARUS A.D. will go a bit back to the spirit of their debut although what was done here is swell.