Fit to Be Tied

The 80’s US thrash/crossover scene wasn’t only Suicidal Tendencies, D.R.I. and Nuclear Assault; there was a large, not so regularly tapped, pool of other practitioners who also did a fairly good job on the jocund side of the good old thrash, like Uncle Slam, C.I.A., Excel, Leeway, Ludichrist, Cryptic Slaughter, The Accused, and of course Aversion. The debut was a jolly feelgood affair crossing hard-hitting thrashers with laid-back heavy/power metal-ish numbers, nothing too serious but energetic and entertaining enough, resembling the air-headed attitude of their colleagues, the mentioned Uncle Slam and C.I.A in particular.

The album reviewed here doesn’t change the formula drastically as the mentioned blend is in full display again, starting with the happy-go-lucky “Hung”, a frolic crossover speedster which doesn’t quite set the tone for what follows as “Don’t Wait for Me” arrives too soon to reveal the album’s slower, stomping, even proto-groovy if you like, side. “Fading Full Circle” is a more serious, more varied speed/thrasher with semi-balladic overtones, but “Bratattack” on the other hand is a short headbanging cut without any ado. “Criminal” attempts something criminal… sorry, creepier and even doomier, an approach that is strangely effective on the brisker background the latter lifted by the very cool speed/thrashing roller-coaster “Go My Way”, and the even more aggressive early-Metallicasque “Dry-Up Blow Away”. Make sure to run for cover on the brutal nod to Cryptic Slaughter “S.M.F. Obligatory Obsolescent” where even attempts at grindcore can be detected before “Let It Go” makes everyone happy with another portion of the good old thrash/crossover. “Nothing” is another sure-handed cut with a more psychedelic vibe nodding at early Voivod, and “Vodka Frenzy” is a really worthy epitaph, moshing hard with a more overt hardcore vibe.

An enjoyable unpretentious recording which sole purpose is to make the fan jump around merrily, spicing the thrash/crossover formula with the requisite number of deviations without going over the top. The guys weren’t out with all the guns blazing to mosh the hell out, but also knew how to lure the less extreme-prone side of the audience which may be even more entertained on the third instalment three years later which partially adapted some of the post-thrashy trends of the time, but remained an enjoyable, uplifting fare ala early Suicidal Tendencies with just a few wilder, less restrained outbreaks.

Aversion has never been an issue with the band’s repertoire who remained one of the many unsung heroes of the US underground, content enough to keep the fans on their toes with energetic lively anthems, also making sure to keep the smiles on their faces with the potential for the occasional burst of laughter.