HEATHEN

Heathen are veterans of the Bay Area thrash scene, having been formed way back in 1984 . The band split up in 1991 but reformed again 10 years later to play the Thrash of the Titans for a couple of fellow musicians. 'The Evolution of Chaos' is the first original release since the group got back together. As you might expect given the length of time the band has been around, there have been a few line up changes over the years. The current line up consists of original guitarist Lee Altus, fellow guitarist Kragen Lum, vocalist David White, Jon Torres on bass and drummer Darren Minter. The album opens with a brief instrumental, featuring sitar, a la 'Wherever I May Roam' from Metallica's Black album, before segueing into 'Dying Season' which is classic thrash played at breakneck speed. 'Control by Chaos' follows and has the same ferocious tempo, complete with an unbelievably fast guitar solo. Next up is 'No Stone Unturned' which is the album's stand out track. Clocking in at eleven minutes, it starts with a great riffed intro and some nice bass work before an acoustic mid section takes over. This, in turn, transforms into another dense riff, accompanied by some pounding drums. This cut could almost be termed 'progressive thrash', not just because of its length but also due to the way the music changes over the length of the track. 'Arrows of Agony' comes after, and is another piece of unrelenting thrash with a massive beat to it. 'A Hero's Welcome' follows and sees a change in tempo with a slower, steadier approach, which befits the lyrical subject matter, that of a tribute to the servicemen and women of America who have lost their lives in doing their duty for their country. Rarely has a song been so topical. The remaining four tracks, 'Undone', 'Bloodkult', 'Red Tears of Disgrace' and 'Silent Nothingness' complete this release and each one follows the blueprint laid down for the bulk of this album, that being a lightning quick tempo, coupled with a pounding rhythm section and rough hewn vocals. In summary, this is a solid and respectable 'comeback' by the band. Each track is well structured and the individual performances are first rate. From a personal stand point, I would have preferred a bit more 'light and shade' but that's probably me showing my age! For the younger rockers out there, this a good introduction, if you don't already know, to the ethos of the Bay Area scene and to some of the other gems that part of the USA produced during the mid-eighties.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Mascot Records

Album

THE EVOLUTION OF CHAOS

Review by Dave Uphill

RUNNING TIME:

68:34

RELEASE DATE:

25th Jan 2010

TRACK LISTING

1) Intro
2) Dying Season
3) Control By Chaos
4) No Stone Unturned
5) Arrows Of Agony
6) Fade Away
7) A Hero’s Welcome
8) Undone
9) Bloodkult
10) Red Tears Of Disgrace
11) Silent Nothingness

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

USA

"For the younger rockers out there, this a good introduction, if you don't already know, to the ethos of the Bay Area scene and to some of the other gems that part of the USA produced during the mid-eighties."