UMUR "The Art of Partying" is the third full-length studio album by US crossover thrash metal act Municipal Waste. The album was released through Earache Records in June 2007. It´s the successor to "Hazardous Mutation" from 2005.

The material on "The Art of Partying" is a continuation of the thrash/crossover metal style of "Hazardous Mutation (2005)", and if you´re familiar with the predecessor you´ll find very few surprises here. The music is raw, energetic, aggressive, and predominantly fast-paced (although the tracks also feature mid-paced heavy sections). Raw shouting vocals and riot gang backing vocals, sharp thrash/hardcore riffs and rhythms, and the occasional lead/harmony guitar moment. The lyrics are about drinking beer, partying, and fantasy/horror stories. It´s like listening to the audio version of the "Toxix Avenger" (Troma Entertainment movie series). Campy and silly, but also greatly entertaining. Song titles like "Sadistic Magician" and "Septic Detonation" tell the story better than any description can. Or how about "Lunch Hall Food Brawl", "Born to Party", or "Thrashing's My Business... And Business Is Good".

Municipal Waste are a well playing band, and lead vocalist Tony Foresta knows most of the tricks in the thrash/crossover metal vocalist book, and although he ultimately doesn´t have the most distinct sounding voice or unique delivery, he gets the job done...and done well. "The Art of Partying" features a sharp, clear, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well. A little more grit and rawness wouldn´t have hurt, but this is arguably a well sounding production. Campy and silly, and an image and lyrics which are not meant to be taken too serious, "The Art of Partying" is however dead serious when it comes to the quality of the songwriting and the overall product and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is fully deserved.

Pelata Ok dudes, grab your beer bongs because Municipal Waste is here to ensure they get plenty of use! Unloading like a mutated hybrid of DRI, Exodus & Andrew WK, Municipal Waste bring the Thrash Party complete with shouted gang choruses, plenty of fast tempos and riff-tastic guitars all in a cloud of stale sweat & puke!

Was that PR enough? Seriously, Municipal Waste knows what Punk-tinged Thrash Metal is supposed to sound like and The Art Of Partying plays like a how-to manual on the genre. No underlying political musings, no threat of anyone taking themselves too seriously, no pretense. This record is wall to wall, good (un)clean fun! The sonics are fantastic, the riffs induce instant neck-thrashing, & the tempos are wild enough to cause a pit in the front seat of your car (though not recommended)!

This is no throwback, this is the real deal! If the album cover & song titles were not enough to give it away (I mean, come on, “The Inebriator”, “Born To Party”, “Beer Pressure” & “Headbanger Face Rip”…pretty much on the sleeve there), you can’t be taught. For the rest of you (who all probably have this pre-ordered), you and your buddies are ensured a night of alcohol, bruises & energy…and one wicked hangover the next day! Thrash on!