Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Havochate - Cycle Of Pain - 2005 - Indecent Media, Inc.

Track Listing1. Cycle Of Pain 2. Tentacle 3. Fiction 4. Still Alive 5. Alone 6. Wicked 7. Cold Embrace 8. Crack In The Sky 9. Speak No More 10. Buried No More 11. Rotting Hour

Those of you really tired of the same old thrash sound, with the normal death chants and hardcore screams will be happy to discover Havochate, a talented group of musicians who really go back in time and pick up the fabulous sounds of the 80s and 90s. With "Cycle Of Pain" the group embark on a musical journey that visits the likes of Testament, Metallica, Flotsam & Jetsam, and Meliah Rage.

"Cycle Of Pain" marks the band's second record to date, a follow-up to the group's debut "This Violent Earth". This album is really a showcase for the fine sounds that really made thrash what it is. This effort is intense, melodic, in your face, and just all consuming in it's quest to wreck your neck. The biggest asset for me personally is vocalist Tim Bouchee, an incredible talent that has the ability to sing clean ala Tim Owens (Iced Earth) and Warrel Dane (Nevermore), but at the same time still has the intensity and aggressive nature of Chuck Billy (Testament). On cuts like "Tentacle" and "Still Alive" the band display a rugged, fast thrash attack that is very tight and precise. On other songs like "Fiction" and "Alone" the band showoff the ability to play prog-power as well, with Bouchee really captivating with his clean singing ability. The band has added ex-Testament bassist Greg Christian as well, solidifying a sonic battery assault with fast skinsman Ovie Rodriguez.

For those of you bored with today's current state of affairs then I highly suggest Havochate. The band do enough things differently to make it interesting and unique, yet they don't stray too far from the roots of thrash.

Note - I've seen this album sitting on store shelves at Best Buy. Check out your local retailer and see if they carry "Cycle Of Pain".


--EC 09.30.05