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Havok: Unnatural Selection



HAVOK: UNNATURAL SELECTION
   
   Think that political views mixed with Thrash-Metal has already been done? Well not like this it hasn't. Thanks to Megadeth, we already know that chugging riffs and governmental despise go together like Friday nights and beer, but after hearing Unnatural Selection, it becomes obvious that there is still a lot of room for creativity within this field. Luckily, the politically burdened side of the album doesn't drown out the straightforward Metal side of things. Even on tracks like "It Is True", the strength of the lyrical themes doesn't hinder the urge to head-bang and windmill like a demonically possessed person being showered with holy water.
   After Havok's 2011 triumph, Time Is Up, the expectation and anticipation on Unnatural Selection, was at stratospheric levels. After being subject to the double blow of opener "I Am The State" and "Give Me Liberty... Or Give Me Death", any previous trepidation regarding this album will be beaten into the ground. 
   Title track, "Unnatural Selection", is by far the albums highlight. This track perfectly embodies every aspect of the modern Thrash sound, and still manages to be a beacon of bruising brilliance. Elsewhere, "Living Nightmare" and "Chasing The Edge", are immensely mosh worthy songs, stamped with Havok's own individual sound.  
    Its fair to say that Unnatural Selection, more than lives up to its legendary predecessor. The Thrash anthems surge one after another, although the cover of Black Sabbath's "Children Of The Grave", does rather fail to impress when surrounded by Havok's own material. Armed with riffs heavier than a bus containing the entire cast of The Expendables, solos fast enough to recreate the conditions of the big bang, and all the neck dislocating rhythms you could ever need. With albums as superb as this, Its hardly surprising that Havok are considered to be at the forefront of the latest incarnation of modern Thrash. You don't have to be a Testament worshiping, Anthrax loving Thrasher to appreciate this album. These titanic riffs and snarling shouts will satisfy even the most experienced Metal-Head's palate. 




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