Electric Vengeance-Homicidal Relapse

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Texas crossover/thrash metal band Electric Vengeance, active since 2007 and comprised of Bran Damage (vocals/guitars), Napaulm (bass/backing vocals), and Trey Lunabomber (drums/backing vocals), make their long-awaited return with album number two. The nine track album is dubbed "Homicidal Relapse" and it serves as the follow-up to 2015's well-received "Manic Possession". Having previously reviewed this wicked/street-legit trio (link) I had a pretty good idea of what I was in store for with "Homicidal Relapse". That being said, Electric Vengeance's sophomore album is most definitely a solid step forward and one or two steps upward. In the two years between albums this Texas metal act has only grown stronger. Any inconsistencies have been tossed to the side and the group has all but perfected their aggressive take on crossover-tinged thrash. Picking right up where the band left off with the must-have "Maniac Possession", "Homicidal Relapse" finds Brain Damage, Napaulm, and Trey Lunabomber diving head first into the glory days of thrash (Anthrax, Exodus, Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer) while keeping one eye fixed on the likes of C.O.C., Gang Green, S.O.D./M.O.D., Suicidal Tendencies, Murphy's Law, and the Cro-Mags. In addition to several new numbers, "Homicidal Relapse" features material from the group's 2012 EP, "Street Metal Attack". It's actually the EP's title track that opens this fist-bangin' affair up and from that point forward Electric Vengeance's new album is a mosh pit just waiting to happen! You've got flesh-shredding guitar solos, twisted bass lines, and rib-rattling percussion. You have street metal music that is as groovy as it is gnarly. And you have old school-inspired thrash arrangements, simply killer riffs, and more than enough gang vocals to go around. At this point in time these Texas' metal merchants have moved way beyond underground status. With their latest slam-dunk of an LP the three guys in Electric Vengeance have made a strong case for becoming a household name. Fans of both old school thrash and crossover metal would do well to hunt this disc down.