Black Rivers Flow

That was quick. Lazarus A.D.'s 2007 debut, The Onslaught (reissued in 2009 by Metal Blade), was a retro-thrash album, not dissimilar to efforts by Fueled by Fire, Bonded by Blood, Merciless Death, Hatchet, et al. One album later, they've undergone a fairly radical transformation, and are now practitioners of American groove metal (think Machine Head, Lamb of God, Trivium, or even late-period Bush-era Anthrax). Fortunately, they're good at it. The slowed-down riffs and thick, bass-heavy sound allow for bluesier guitar solos than their previous style, and the songs are a little catchier, too. There are a few soft, melodic guitar intros scattered here and there, and the title track is their attempt at a classic Metallica anthem a la "Fade to Black" (with "message" lyrics about environmental damage thrown in). While this style isn't any more original than the one they were employing on The Onslaught, Lazarus A.D. are an energetic young band with some decent riffs in their book, and this album will make young fans bang their heads while reminding older listeners of their own glory days. ~ Phil Freeman