The early Thrash Metal works of the 80's (albums as SLAYER's "Show No Mercy", DESTRUCTION's "Infernal Overkill", KREATOR's "Endless Pain", SODOM's "Obsessed by Cruelty", to name a few) are still a source of inspiration for many bands today. But to inspire is different than trying to be what these bands were. Again: no one needs an album or EP that already exists, and you can't give continuity to a work that's not yours. And this reissue "Insolent Aggression", the second album of Italian band SLAVE, is a recollection of all clichés of the early days of the genre.

The band plays a form of proto-Thrash Metal that earns influences from JUDAS PRIEST and MOTÖRHEAD (as can be heard on the albums cited above), but even with energy and a catchy appeal, the band lacks of a personal approach on what they're trying to play. It's not about not playing an old musical form of any Metal genre, but's about doing it with personality. Sorry for using such analogy, but's it's about turning off the device of music that plays endlessly old releases to do something on your own. The sonority is another problem, because the idea is clear: to have the same organic appeal of the past. But it could be done on many different (and better) forms, because the sound seems 'narrowed' and 'hollow' (it means without the due heavy weight). Another band that should look for guys as Joel Grind or Sacha Laskow to produce what they do (and tear off this disgusting mania of trying to be a band of the 80's, what they're not and will never be). The lack of weight on the drums is unbearable, and even the remastering couldn't save the final result.

The band has potential to do a good work, as can be heard on songs as "Total Alarm" (good guitar riffs, but these screams like Tom Araya could be out), "Invasion", "Cryogenic" (some catchy musical arrangements can be heard), "Evil Cannot Die" (some MERCIFUL FATE-like melodies can be heard in some points), "Hell Crawler" and "Insolent Aggression". For those that will buy the album (no doubts that they have their fans), there are some Demo songs as bonus for the fans: "Headsman of Sin", "To Heaven", "Under the Siege (War)" and "Inferior Draft". But the main question is not about having potential, but to use it, and the best way is: being yourself! Yes, guys, just be who you are, you don't need to copy anyone.

Once more: look for a good producer that knows how to work in such musical genres, and maybe SLAVES can be a relevant name in the Old School Metal scene. For now, "Insolent Aggression" is an album that doesn't deserve to be reissued.