Municipal Waste – Massive Aggressive (2009) [Earache] // Grade: B+

For almost a decade now Municipal Waste has been the face of the old school Thrash revival and the best Crossover Thrash band since D.R.I. called it quits.  Massive Aggressive is the band’s 4th full length album and continues basically where every other album left off. It’s becoming apparent that besides the certainties of death & taxes, Municipal Waste are good for 30 minutes of beer bonging party anthems every two years. So If you’re looking for variety or a re-invention of the wheel when it comes to your Thrash, this ain’t the place to start.

While innovation may not be Municipal Waste’s calling card that shouldn’t imply that Massive Aggressive is in any way a carbon copy of their past 3 albums. Firstly, the vocal production is crisper and cleaner showing that Tony Foresta’s vocals can be just as catchy as the riffs.  And for the first time The Waste seems inclined to veer just a little more towards the Hardcore side of things in crafting this album. While slight, those subtle tweaks go a long way in making Massive Aggressive The Waste’s most satisfying collection of songs since 2005′s Hazardous Mutation.

While I love me the sort of bands who are all about growing, experimenting and challenging themselves with each new release, that just doesn’t suit every single band or even every single style of music. Municipal Waste, like AC/DC & Coca-Cola are just another example of when you’re that good at what you do, you don’t need to fuck with a winning formula.

- My Pal the Crook