87. Xentrix - "Seven Words"

Xentrix were meant to be Preston’s answer to Metallica. When they emerged in the late 80s they seemed intent on avoiding thrash’s more juvenile tendencies and concentrated more on song structure than they did gimmicks (apart from that Ghostbusters cover that they now significantly distance themselves from). They fell by the wayside during the lean years of the ’90s when thrash spectacularly plunged from grace, only to be revived in 2013 by Kristian and Dennis from the original line-up. Since then, they have flown the flag for home-grown thrash, touring the length and breadth of the country and returned it to the studio to record two new albums (of which this is the second). Don’t tell Municipal Waste but thrash doesn’t have to be stupid as this album adeptly proves. It is a strident and unrepentant collection of well-constructed songs, full of riotous anger and vociferous undertaking. This is the sound of a band that has paid its dues many times over but still feels that they have something left to say. Conclusive proof of the redemptive power of growing old disgracefully.