Lazarus A.D. – The Onslaught (2009) [Metal Blade] // Grade: B

Absolutely brutal, catchy and pounding riffage… The Onslaught is exactly what you hope to hear each and every time you put in a new Thrash record, or at least I do. A “We’re here, Fuck you!” attitude at blistering speed that just doesn’t ever let up. However that inability to let up or just switch things up a teency-weency bit is Lazarus A.D.’s biggest flaw.

Each and every track on The Onslaught plays like it’s meant to be head banging anthem, but after 3 or 4 straight anthemic romps the lack of diversity just gets a bit draining and makes it hard to tell what you’ve just heard apart when it’s all over. All great thrash albums have a few change-ups, some tricks up their sleeves to shake things up before delving you head first back into the pit. The Onslaught just doesn’t offer any of that, it’s a constant barrage that under the right circumstances, say live and after a six-pack you may never want to end… But on record? This is a  snack-size Snickers of an album… throw it on at random for 4 songs and you’ll not only know exactly what you’re getting but it’ll be surprisingly satisfying in small doses.

- My Pal the Crook