Third World Genocide

Returning from a lengthy absence from studio recording, legendary thrashers Nuclear Assault emerge with a respectable, yet not overwhelming comeback effort which recalls moments of the band’s previous works while injecting new dimensions into their potent songwriting.

Vocalist John Connelly shows that he still has the pipes to hit glass-shattering high notes on the album’s title track, a scathing political indictment that is reminiscent of the group’s earlier works. The band inject a good shot of melody into “Price Of Freedom” that had been hinted at on the group’s previous efforts, but here, the group really open things up, allowing the music to breathe while retaining their patent heaviness.

New lead guitarist Eric Burke shows that he is an excellent shredder here, making a bold statement with his fretboard destroying lead work. An upbeat, forward-thrusting track “Human Wreckage” is also highlighted by a burning lead that simply smokes.

Long-time rhythm tag team Danny Lilker and Glenn Evans back Connelly up with a trademark fury on “Living Hell”, a dark, brooding thrashterpiece that is definitely a highlight of this record and you will discover that Connelly’s lyrical wit remains intact as they deliver a few laughs with the amusing, punky “Whine And Cheese” and the hilarious hillbilly rave-up “Long Haired Asshole”, slated to be the group’s first video clip from the album.

Meanwhile, tracks like “Discharged Reason” (which actually recalls the band’s “Game Over” intensity) and “Eroded Liberty” prove without a doubt that Nuclear Assault are a group with the ability to craft music that is equally infectiously addictive and dominatingly heavy. While this album is in no way as groundbreaking as “The Plague” and “Survive," it's no longer about breaking ground for this act, it's about giving fans some decent new material.

While it's possible that N.A. could have done better than "Third World Genocide," you have to give the band credit for what they've accomplished here. Does this album redefine the style? Certainly not. But for those fans who have been eager to hear new material from this important thrash ensemble for some time, this record holds its own against more than half the competition.