So far, the 2000’s aren’t known for metal music. Pop bands are all over radio, and new bands putting out with rock and metal aren’t that promising. Then, out of the blue, Havok springs up, and gave us some of the best metal music this decade.
They are fast, they are strong, and their playing is tight. They have a way of writing songs that brings out the best in metal. This is amplified in their second album Time is Up, which starts off fast and heavy with the song “Prepare for Attack.” Then it leads into some of the most intense riffs and songs in metal.
“D.O.A”, “Scumbag in Disguise”, and “The Cleric” are only a few of the tracks on the album that are perfect songs. You can go through every single track on this album and never get bored or tired, and when it ends, you will only want more.
You can clearly hear that all the musicians are very talented and at the top of their game. Pete Webber is a solid drummer with extreme control over all of his limbs, enabling him to perform complex rhythms and fills that sound like a combination of Dave Lombardo and Chris Adler.
David Sanchez screams with all his might for each song, and lead guitarist Reece Scruggs performs his fantastic guitar parts and solos extremely well and with ease.
The mix of the album is superb. One truly outstanding thing is that you can clearly hear the bass, something that seems to be forgotten in music today. The bass adds a tone to the music that gives it a unique feel, separating it from other thrash albums. The other instruments come though clearly, you do not have to strain to hear anything.
Overall, Time is Up is the one of the closest things to a perfect thrash album there is. The only problem is that there isn’t more of it. Havok were able to perfectly create an album that encompasses everything that metal is and should be.
Final Rating 9.5/10