TOXIK — In Humanity Pre-Release (review)

TOXIK — In Humanity Pre-Release album cover Demo · 2014 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"In Humanity Pre-release" is a demo release by US power/thrash metal act Toxik. The demo was independently released in April 2014, and it´s the first release by Toxik after their 2013 reunion. Toxik initially existed from 1985-1992 (releasing two full-length studio albums in their original run), reunited shortly and disbanded again in 2007, and then reunited again in 2013. Only guitarist Josh Christian remains from the lineup who disbanded in 1992, but original vocalist Mike Sanders (who left Toxik in 1989) has returned. The quartet lineup is completed by bassist Bill Bodily and drummer Jason Bittner.

The three tracks from the 12:33 minutes long demo, would be re-released in 2020 along with three other demo tracks on the "In Humanity" EP. All six tracks are also featured in remastered versions on the 2018 "III Works" compilation.

Stylistically the material on the demo is still US power/thrash metal with the occassional progressive edge, so in that respect it´s a continuation of the the music style the band played in the late 80s, but the more updated production values provide the music with a heavier sound and Sanders predominantly sings in a more raw mid-range vocal style, although he can still hit the high notes of the past when that is called for (he actually sounds quite a bit like Russ Andersson from Forbidden on this release). "In Humanity Pre-release" features a professional studio production, or least a sound production, which isn´t audibly a demo quality production.

I´m not sure this was exactly what the fans wanted, but personally I find the darker, more heavy sounding material a pretty good listen. The music still features many interesting details, attitude, and sophistication. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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