### Toxic Holocaust: Chemistry of consciousness

#### 15/11/13 || Habakuk

My relationship to Toxic Holocaust seems to be in for a change again. Back when the whole retro thrash movement was still somewhat fresh, I welcomed these guys with open arms. Fond memories of demo material that went “Atomik destruktoooorrrr” (with k’s), and apart from that just full-frontal have stayed with me even through times when the ‘band’/project seemed to become a mere gimmick. Which consequently was ignored by me more and more. Lately, I did find some redeeming qualities here and there again, but nothing prepared me for this – it actually seems that Toxic Holocaust finally live up to their potential in 2013.

And while I’m not sure what exactly drove that change, it’s clear that the mixture of a punchy, dry production together with the bad-ass riffing and trademark raspy thrash shouts (both always a strength of the band’s works, no matter how bland) have something to do with it. Add songwriting that deserves the title and keeps intensity levels high at all times, and suddenly we have a great album.

This is one-dimensional goodness that will meet any thrasher’s needs – piercing, violent shredding with that little bit of punk finish that keeps it from becoming mechanical like so many others. And then there is a good deal of what thrash metal invented in order not to have to deal with variation and all that: half-time parts! Lots of them, and boy do they work. Be it on their own or combined with a chorus (“I! serve! I serve death”), you just have to love ‘em all.

Take it from a skeptic: Toxic Holocaust have probably never sounded this good. You owe it to the retarded little thrasher inside you to check this out. Hell, even the cover is decent, whatever it is. A Vio-Lence homage, maybe? Fuck it, go for this!

- Information
- Released: 2013
- Label: Relapse Records
- Website: www.toxicholocaust.com
- Band
- Joel Grind: guitars, vocals
- Philthy Gnaast: bass
- Nikki Rage: drums

- Tracklist
- 1. Awaken the Serpent
- 2. Silence
- 3. Rat Eater
- 4. Salvation is waiting
- 5. Out of the fire
- 6. Acid fuzz
- 7. Deny the truth
- 8. Mkultra
- 9. I serve…
- 10. International conspiracy
- 11. Chemistry of consciousness