Unitron The unfortunately short-lived Wrathchild America was one of the most creative thrash bands. 3-D in particular shows them with a really unique sound that they should've stuck with instead of changing their name to Souls at Zero and jumping on the groove metal bandwagon.

Anyways, with this album you'll get swing, funk metal, alt metal, and thrash all in one. Spy is the main highlight with a real swing-influenced rhythm section making it sound like a thrash film noir. The instrumental Prego follows the swing suit as well. Surrounded by Idiots is a fun Anthrax-esque track but with a funky twist, while 3-D Man and Gentleman Death are more regular thrashers but done in the unique Wrathchild America style.

If you're looking for some unique thrash that has slipped through the cracks of time, this is it.

UMUR "3-D" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US thrash/heavy metal act Wrathchild America. The album was released through Atlantic Records in January 1991. "3-D" is the last album released under the Wrathchild America monicker before the band changed their name to Souls at Zero and started playing a more groove metal oriented style.

The music on "3-D" pretty much continues the thrash/heavy metal style of "Climbin' the Walls (1989)". No groove metal elements on this album. The humourous approach from the debut album is intact, which songtitles like "Gentleman Death", "Surrounded by Idiots", and "I Ain't Drunk, I'm Just Drinkin'" are a testimony to. They are not silly humourous though just a bunch of happy guys playing music they love, doing it with a gleam in the eye (alright..."I Ain't Drunk, I'm Just Drinkin'" is pretty silly, but it´s still great). There´s an infectious rock´n´roll element that runs through the entire album, and it´s greatly charming. Lead vocalist/bassist Brad Divens delivers his vocals with attitude and passion, but it´s the full band that should be credited for how great the music works. These guys are incredibly well playing and successfully incorporate stylistic elements from other genres than heavy and thrash metal. An example is the swing rhythm in "Spy". One other feature that needs a mention are the many well played guitar solos. Wrathchild America feature two guitarists and they compliment each other perfectly. The tracks are generally vers/chorus structured and therefore instantly recognisable, but Wrathchild America always incorporate sections that go beyond the tried and true vers/chorus formula. A feature in their songwriting that ensures that "3-D" is an album you can return to and always find new details on.

The sound production is organic and suits the music well. It´s both powerful and detailed and takes the many stylistic elements into consideration. That´s an achivement. All in all "3-D" is a diverse, very well played, and quite intriguing heavy/thrash metal album, and while it didn´t exactly provide Wrathchild America with the commercial success that they had hoped for, I think it´s one of the albums from those days that still sounds relevant and fresh. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

Stephen Wrathchild America's second album, "3D", was released in 1991, the late days of thrash movement, but widely ignored and forgotten. The band's musical direction is totally different and original, combining a punky thrash with many elements, from rock and roll, blues, funk, progressive, and even jazz. Some songs do have a commercial touch to be accessible to many new and casual thrash fans. This is an interesting band indeed, but unfortunately, thrash metal to me have to be furious, raging, brutal, and full of anger, and “3D" failed to meet the requirement. That's the essential reason why I dislike this album.

Brad Divens' vocal is quite similar to James Hetfield while Carter/Abbene provides some great solos, thrilling riffs, and even implemented several traditional instruments such as Banjo and Mandolin. My favorite tracks of the album are : "3D Man" with a chugging chops and fun chorus; "Forever Alone", an uptempo track with funky feel; "Desert Grins" with a dynamic tempo and talk-box experimentation; "What's Your Pleasure" with a normal thrash style; and "Parallel" which is their best track with a reggae flavor mix in the middle of the song. Other tracks are okay but some are quite weak including "Gentleman Death" and the single "Surrounded by Idiots".

If this isn't thrash, Wrathchild America is totally fun and interesting, but their diversity is like a backfiring boomerang, and if you're looking for a great thrash album, I doubt "3D" is a good choice, but for a thrash fanatic and completist, Wrathchild America could be a nice addition.