Havok - V (2020)^{Release ID: 20144}

An album of modern thrash that harks back to those 1980's heady days of Bay Area supremacy. However, this isn't merely some dumb nostalgia trip. The lyrical themes are contemporary and relevant (albeit not particularly deep) and, particularly as the album proceeds, there is a more progressive feel to some of the tracks (Panpsychism and Don't Do It for example). Havok are one of the better of the modern U.S. thrash bands and prove it once more here. They don't break the mould of 80s thrashing, but they do push it just enough to stamp their own identity onto their sound. Fans of Bay Area veterans like Exodus and Testament should find plenty to get into here.