Burn

I will be frank (even though I am mostly just Eric) when I say that I bought this album when a friend displayed them to me and expressed his desire to purchase this album when he was able to get his hands on some money. So, being the one to ruin things, I bought it before he could; thereby ruining his chances of being the first in our group to have the record.And it's actually really good.Now I have been a fan of heavy metal music for some time now, and I have a fairly in depth knowledge of the various bands and musical entities that comprise it, especially in the vain of thrash metal. Normally, I am usually not quite so enthusiastic about the newer wave of thrash metal bands that are currently riding it's wave (Warbringer, Toxic Holocaust, Mantic Ritual, etc), mainly due to my indifference to their lack of originality and creativity - it's mostly just bands tredding old ground that knowledgable metalheads know enough about and do not need to hear once more - there is no need to sail up the Missouri River in search of a coastline, gentleman! Lewis and Clark beat you to it!Well anyway, Havok is probably the first band in this second wave thrash that I actually like despite, or perhaps in spite, of all the reasons previously stated. This is thrash metal. No messing around, no foolishness, just machine-gun riffs and excessive amounts of pessimism. And it works to the satisfied smile I usually only emit when someone falls down a steep flight of stairs. The songs are greatly composed: clocking in at around 5 minutes, which seems to be the perfect length for most metal songs. The lead work is surprisingly well done, as it is not too shreddy but brings its own creativity to the table. And, unfortunately, the bass mostly gets left in the back of the room. It's there - you hear it - but the attention (as status quo dictates) is left primarily on the guitarists.The point is that is a really, really good album. I find it oddly compelling despite the lack of broken ground it has. It's music that has been done before, but these guys are so good at it that is seems to no longer matter. Who cares if they aren't innovative? Look at them go!Normally in my reviews, I try to keep things vague and mysterious as to avoid ruining any surprises that may come in the duration of listening to the album. And this review will not be an exception to that rule. So allow me to leave you with this:Havok is a modern day thrash band that will kick your audio [...] with riffage from here to there, drums so rhythmic you could practically set your watch to them, and vocals that reminded me of chuck billy and james hetfield being molded into some kind of mutant I call Chames Betfilly. And it works on so many levels.Bottom Line: Burn is an excellent addition to the experienced thrash fan or the new kid looking for something cool. Buy it.

I have to say that us metal fans truly live in a golden age where true metal has come back with vengeance to spit venom and destroy nu metal once and for all.Havok's Burn is not an album to be forgot as it screams 1980's vintage thrash with the great production of today's technology.It's like they blended all the elements of my favorite thrash and fused them seemlessly without sounding corny or a rip-off.Take a listen to Wreckquiem as it starts with an intro similar to Fade to Black from Metallica(and i say similar only because of the way it was written not because it sounds anything like it)and opens up your senses to be pummeled for the next 40 minutes of mayhem.I really enjoyed "The Root of all evil" it has a driving metal riff that reminds me of "Into The Pit" from Testament but with layered harmonies. I know people(especially older ones) are skeptical about this new wave of younger kids playing an older style but with songs like"Morbid Symmetry" and "Ivory Tower" you will think it's the 80's all over again.The main thing I liked about this album was the variation in vocals. Some metal bands think they have to scream their ass off and have double bass blast beats every song in order to be accepted. This vocalist screams as well as sings(and not emo singing)while not making the clean parts sound too off-putting yet angst-ridden enough to tear your face right off.The bass playing is also really great which is a change for most people as most bass players are drowned out by the dueling guitar or awesome drum work. Overall I give it four stars it is very well done though not very original but, who cares it is good enough on its own merits and talents and it will have you thrashing like a maniac.

Definitely a great choice for speed/thrash metal fans

Unbelievable - I'm an old school 48 yr. old thrasher (retired!) and this sounds like it came straight out of the early 90's! Great riffs and influences can be heard from Megadeth, Sepultura, Metallica, Testament, Death Angel, Slayer and more! Absolutely killer! I guess the weird part is that I distinctly recall some bits that sound straight out of a Municipal Waste album... but hey! These guys are awesome!

a great album great thrash band cheers

Great musicianship and fans of old Megadeth, Testament & Co. will love this album. Not surprisingly, their song writing isn't up to par with the later albums especially Unnatural selection, but still a good album with a band showing their potential. Certainly above average!

This gives me hope for thrash metal continuing on for the next generation. This young guys can play!

Havok is an awesome old-school thrash band with talent

Love this new found band. Drums and guitars excellent

good album by a band of the 2000s, which is uncommon and good news, because it proves that thrash is not dead and nuclear assault and megadeth have their disciples and heirs for the next generation.

nice one .. i like it

, Havok play old school thrash metal, this is their 1st album, it is well produced and is very interesting, though i think their 2nd album is better !

Die Thrash Metaller Havok aus Denver machten bereits mit ihrem Debut Album "Burn" aus dem Jahre 2009 nachhaltig auf sich aufmerksam, denn der Mix aus Megadeth, alten Metallica und alten Testament funktionierte ganz hervorragend. Die Musiker beherrschen nicht nur ihre Instrumente erstklassig, sondern hatten auch schon im frühen Stadium ihrer Karriere den Bogen raus, wie man aus guten Riffs auch hörenswerte, eingängige Songs mit Wiedererkennungswert macht. Ausfälle gibt es auf "Burn" überhaupt keine, der Abschlusstrack "Afterburner" stellt das absolute Highlight dar. Das Album ist wirklich toll, keine Frage, die 5 Sterne von allen vorigen Rezensenten finde ich allerdings etwas zu hoch gergriffen. Vor allem in Anbetracht dessen, dass mit dem folgenden Album "Time Is Up" noch mal eine bemerkenswerte und deutliche Steigerung gelang.8/10