Review EVILDEAD “Toxic Grace”

“Annihilation of Civilization” in particular is one of the highlights of EvilDead‘s discography. The debut album was a first big step for a young band that belonged to the second wave of thrash metal bands. The second release “The Underworld” had some good stuff in it, but things came to an end in 1995 and in some ways the timing wasn’t in the band’s favour.

After a long hiatus, EvilDead came back with a vengeance in 2016 and it took another four years before thrash metal fans were able to hold the third long player in their hands. “United States of Anarchy” picked up where the band had left off in the early 90s. Evildead reactivated their musical roots and delivered a raw and grim thrash metal album.

Another four years later, the Californians launched their next attack with ‘Toxic Grace’, and the remarkable thing is that they have done it in the late 80s/early 90s line-up. While other bands have one or two founding members being the driving force, the EvilDead crew from the first era have found common ground again.

The band follow their chosen direction without changing the musical compass. It is roaring thrash metal that reaches your eardrums. Old school is the term that best describes the album and I guess that is what fans expected. EvilDead live up to the expectations. Songs like the raging “Raising Fresh Hell” and the fast paced “Stupid On Parade” portray a band that is still on fire. There is plenty of metal running through the veins of the five-piece, something that can also be heard when listening to “F.A.F.O”.

It is an acoustic intro that starts “Bathe in Fire”. The first riff comes quite soon and takes the lead. The song is very atmospheric, especially in the beginning. Vocalist Phil Flores is more of a narrator than a singer, which gives the song a dark and sinister vibe

EvilDead stay true to their musical roots and deliver a strong album. What is missing is one or two songs that really stand out, and even though the album sounds quite strong, there is also a certain degree of predictability. Nevertheless, ‘Toxic Grace’ is a lot of fun to listen to.