Triceratopsoil I came across this album while looking for period specific music for the video game My Summer Car (don't ask), and am sure glad I did. If Antidote had been from San Francisco instead of Helsinki, and hadn't taken until 1992 to release a proper album, they could have been much, much bigger. As it is, they have a bit of a cult following, alongside their compatriots Stone (another phenomenal band).

I wonder how many people started listening to this album and immediately stopped at the weirdly dissonant opener Symphony of Death. They would be making a huge mistake! The rest of the album is a thick, slightly progressive, relentless, head-banging thrash classic.

The bass guitar is hard to hear which is not atypical for the genre or period, but fits the music well when you can pick it out. The drums have about as much reverb as an exodus concert in the mid 80s, but it doesn't detract from the music. The vocalist is surprisingly versatile, on the harsher side for early thrash but capable of some great 80s wails. Lyrics are moderately interesting and in perfectly understandable English, which is always a pleasant surprise with import albums. What really shines most, however, is the crushing, chugging, catchy riffs and the searing leads. I challenge any metalhead to sit still during some of these breakdowns.

Standout tracks to me are Within His Power, Rosemachine, and Subordinated People, but I thoroughly enjoy every song on the album - the weakest is perhaps the opener. This one has been on repeat since I first heard it almost a year ago. Highly recommended.