Artist: Korzus
Title: Discipline Of Hate
Type: Album
Label: AFM Records

I can’t say that Korzus are one of the best remembered bands from the 1980’s thrash heyday. They are not a band I was familiar with until this album arrived on my review pile, and from what I can gather I haven’t been missing very much. Ten minutes of internet research tells me that they released a live album as their debut in a typical raw Brazilian thrash vein, they took a more clean Bay Area direction for the next couple of albums, shocked fans in the mid ‘90s with a NYHC album ‘KZS’ and after a bit of a break returned nearly ten years later in 2004 with what has been described to me as sub-standard modern thrash...a natural progression, I suppose. Personally modern thrash just seems like a watered down version of what came before and lacks the energy that often makes a good thrash album…so should I be weary about this release?

Well either what I’ve read was a load of nonsense or I can guess that this is a pretty good return to form for Korzus. Opening track ‘Under His Command’ comes racing in with heavy, pounding drums and a solid riff that sounds straight out of the old school textbook. The vocals are a straight forward shout packing plenty of aggression and they remind me a lot of Tom Araya. ‘Truth’ is a cool mid-paced guitar driven number that mixes a heavy ‘Raining Blood’-esque riff with some solos that have plenty of melody and feeling rather than just being technical for it’s own sake. Truth is a pretty appropriate name – this is good, honest thrash that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. The album does have a modern sheen to it; it has a nice crisp production and while it has the catchiness, the energy and the style of an early 80’s release it doesn’t sound like a mere throwback or as though they are trying to be “retro”.

The chorus on ‘Raise Your Soul’ makes me want to shout along and bang my fist, while the verse has a fine, stomping riff. ‘Never Say Die’ is another one that marches with intent; while things are fast it’s not at the expense of good melody and songwriting. ‘Slavery’ comes blazing in with a raging solo and a melody that brings to mind Exodus’ ‘A Lesson In Violence,’ while I like the tribal intro to ‘2012.’ ‘My Enemy’ demonstrates more of that blunt hardcore aggression and in places there is more of a crossover feel that reminds of DRI or Suicidal Tendencies. Overall Discipline Of Hate is an enjoyable, solid thrash album; it’s nothing original but if you enjoy straight-up uncomplicated metal that gives a nod to the old school this one’s for you. http://www.myspace.com/korzus