Eradicator – The Atomic Blast (2009) [Yonah] // Grade: B+

Germany’s Eradicator puts forth a ridiculously solid if not overly inventive debut album of new-school retro Thrash Metal with The Atomic Blast. So while these guys may not be bringing anything new to the table with songs focused on old stand-bys like urban blight, social decay & war, they do have a tight and familiar sound that strafes the line between classic late 80s European and good ol’ NY Thrash.

Variety is usually the key and kiss of death for the success of so many of the current Retro-Thrash albums, and much to my delight Eradicator not only have the riffs, agressive energy & melodic fortitude but enough song writing savvy to ensure that The Atomic Blast doesn’t all sound like the same song. Regradless of where you stand on the recent trend in Thrash of bands trying to sound a good 2 decades older than they actually are, I find it not only nostalgic, but unbelivabley satisfying when done right. Even the most jaded and ancient of Metal Heads would have a hard time faulting or headbanging to “War In My Head, “Never Surrender”, “Trigger to Apocalypse” & “Place of No Return” all serving as album highlights.

Bonus points to the band if someone can confirm that they named themselves after this guy!

- My Pal the Crook