Review XENTRIX “Allied With the Enemy”

Xentrix have long been part of the British thrash metal story, with their first two albums putting the band firmly on the radar of metal fans. When the band called it quits in 1996, it took until 2013 for the members to find enough common ground to give Xentrix another shot. Bury the Pain followed in 2019, showing that the comeback had some serious legs, while Seven Words kept the momentum going. Now, Allied With the Enemy is here to prove that Xentrix still have plenty of gas left in the tank.

The driving forces behind Xentrix are founding members Dennis Gasser and Kristian Havard, who are joined by Chris Shires and Jay Walsh in the 2026 lineup.

After working together since 2017, the chemistry between the four musicians is easy to hear. Allied With the Enemy delivers a seasoned take on old-school thrash, packed with the kind of riffing that should appeal to anyone who still has a soft spot for the classic Bay Area sound.

The album kicks off with a drum roll before “Rip Saw” turns the dial straight toward relentless thrash. The title track follows, making it clear that Xentrix aren’t here to play it safe. The band throws out one sharp riff after another, while Jay Walsh’s gritty vocals add a rough edge that fits the material perfectly.

The comparatively restrained opening of “On Buried Remains” provides a welcome change of pace in the middle of the thrash attack. Before long, though, the song picks up steam and leads into the faster-paced “Nil By Mouth.”

What “On Buried Remains” hints at comes into full focus on “The Dark Eternal.” Once again, Xentrix starts things off with a slower, atmospheric approach before shifting gears in the second half and turning the track into a groove-heavy thrash workout.

Xentrix haven’t lost their punch, and they’re still firing on all cylinders. With Allied With the Enemy, the UK thrashers have added another old-school record to their catalog—one that keeps the riffs coming and delivers a good time from start to finish.