Stephen
Paradox, perhaps well-known with their '89 legacy, "Heresy", and to be honest, I'm not a big fan of them back in the heyday, and that's probably the single reason why "Riot Squad" was off my radar last year. After listening to some samples and eventually bought this disc, I'm pretty sure this could be one of the huge 2009 thrash albums ever came out, and I still can't believe I missed this one!
The first two tracks are probably not their finest moment and don't let them ruin your mood. "Suburban Riot Squad" has an adequate solo and slightly reminiscent of Metallica's old track, "Disposable Heroes", and the second one, "Hollow Peace" sounded like an okay generic thrash track, but let me tell you something, by the moment you spin "Riptide", you know their engine has started. The fast-paced rhythm with clever melodic insertion in the arrangement is mindblowing. "Rise In Rank" started slow and thick, the intro fills are nice and the whole song is quite good, but "Evolution Reset" really steals the show. The crushing element on the violent rhythm is fabulous, and the same goes with "No Place To Survive". Both are excellent definition of perfect grinding thrash. "Dream Hero" has some addictive hooks, this one really brought out the 80s memory, totally awesome.
"Riot Squad" offers nothing new, but who needs something new if you can bang your head to the old walls. Some probably condemned this unoriginal, yes I promise I've heard those riffs somewhere, but with good vocal, tight and tidy musicianship, and of course, great arrangement, I found the whole affair is just simply enjoyable. The production is flawless and overall this one is a pleasing album, especially for old school fans, I bet four-stars isn't too much, and yes, I'm pretty sure of it.