Just as I've reviewed the talent of OBJECTOR, I'm yet again handed a fistful of Thrash. This time, however, I'm taken back even further with SARCASM and their obviously titled "Thrash". Gee, I wonder what genre it could've possibly been...

My gripe with SARCASM is that they really have this miniscule tinge thrown in that completely negates the edge. It's almost as if there is some deep Punkish influence going on here... a sort of irony and comedy that I persistently feel throughout all the tracks. Clearly, SARCASM doesn't have that soul or edge I felt with OBJECTOR - they even seem to offhandedly know that they are great and just can't use that to do anything but portray a somewhat smug outwardness, which also plagues this album. And, as I looked further into the band, I somewhat feel bad for saying this about such a seasoned (6 albums strong!) group. Though, clearly, being the first Slovenian band to break into the 'mainstream' I can see that SARCASM is used to people pleasing. Sadly, they just never hit the right note on "Thrash" and single handedly downplay the entire genre with something very watered down and unoriginal.

I can't really get past my problems with this release. The more I listen the more I dislike what I hear, sometimes even just not wanting to finish complete songs. I understand this band has made some headway in the past but "Thrash" seems like a massive step back - this, I could see as a first or sophomore album... but for seasoned pros I can't really wrap my head around what I've heard here.