Some of you might be under the impression that I enjoy ripping on classic thrash bands who release new music, and you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Whether it’s Exodus, Vio-Lence, or most recently Megadeth who’ve disappointed me with latter day outings that range from mediocre to godawful, the fact remains that these bands were crucial to me in my youth. Not only that, but I still spin their classic output quite regularly. To make it abundantly clear, I take no pleasure in lambasting these legendary acts. In the same breath, I take no pleasure in having to write today’s review.
Razor should need no introduction to the readers of this site. As far as I’m concerned, they are the be all, end all Canadian thrash band. The 7 albums they released between 1985 and 1991 are essential for every self-respecting thrasher’s collection, and really showcase the genre’s evolution from its early, high speed, NWOBHM derived roots (Executioner’s Song) to its nonstop breakneck brutality before death metal took over (Shotgun Justice, Open Hostility). With that said, I remained cautiously optimistic for their first album in 25 years, Cycle of Contempt. Surely it couldn’t be any worse than any other run of the mill thrash metal being churned out today…right?
To its credit Cycle of Contempt is a 110% thrash metal affair. Sure, there are some bro-y, groove metal chug riffs scattered about, and its all around tough guy demeanor does little to help the album’s case, being more characteristic of Hatebreed, Five Finger Death Punch, or some other ‘roidcore band than the mighty Razor. But at the end of the day, Cycle of Contempt is a thrash metal album…a generic, redundant, and uninspired thrash metal album. This is made apparent on the album’s first four tracks (“Flames of Hatred”, “Jabroni”, “Off My Meds”, and “A Bitter Pill”), all of which bleed into each other with the same vocal phrasing, same drumming, and same riffs regurgitated slightly differently than the last time, as if one wouldn’t notice.
“Crossed” stands out as one of the album’s few highlights, coming off as a modern thrash spin on the high speed traditionalism of Executioner’s Song, 80s riffs and old school spirit reigning supreme. The same can be said for “Darkness Falls”, which makes me wonder: Why, when they are still capable of brining down the “Iron Hammer”, did Razor settle for such musical and lyrical laziness? Sure, “Punch Your Face In” captures the unhinged extremity of Violent Restitution, and “Setup” boasts a nice balance of machine gun and mosh riffs. But the rest of Cycle makes me cringe so hard, I’m afraid my face will be stuck this way for at least the rest of the week.
Take your pick of songs on here: Cycle of Contempt sounds like the drunken ramblings of a fifty-something year old in a Pantera shirt set to a hastily thrown together thrash soundtrack. Hell, this album reminded me more of any number of 2010s thrash bands who tried to sound like Razor than Razor. Granted, some of these bands were good. Most of them weren’t. Neither is Cycle of Contempt. Maybe these “Evil Invaders” will have a better go of things in another 25 years? Personally, I’m not holding my breath.
4 out of 10
Label: Relapse Records
Genre: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Slayer, Exodus, Whiplash