In the often oversaturated genre of thrash metal, there are many bands who are great live, but often mediocre on CD.  In fact, few bands truly excel at gaining the listener’s trust in both aspects.  This is the stigma that faces Colorado thrash metal band Havok.  Their sophomore album Time is Up does capture some of the energy of their live performance, but the question with them, as with most thrash bands today, is one of identity, as in what makes them stand out from the rest.

Time is Up is pretty much what you would expect from thrash metal in general: metal going at 100 mph, harsh vocals, and no special bells or whistles.  In short, it’s raw and damn proud of it.  That’s the good part, now for the bad: most thrash metal bands play thrash metal this way.  So, how does Havok stand out from the rest?  On first listen, and likely second and third listens, it is difficult to hear how exactly Havok stands out from the rest.  In fact, most of the songs on the album are fairly derivative, with the “standard thrash song structure” in place, which includes the standard guitar solo, which do little to truly stand out on its own.  Standout songs on the album include “Prepare for Attack” and “Scumbag in Disguise,” with the latter having some identity in the sense that the twin guitar attack clashes with one another.   Finding something truly original on Time is Up presents a task for the thrash snob, if there is such a thing.

While Havok does indeed have the talent and the chops to make it in a live setting, it seems that they play it too safe on Time is Up.  Most of the album is likely things that the thrash metal fan has heard before.  Fans of Exodus and Municipal Waste will find Havok to their liking, but those who seek something innovative will want to look elsewhere.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Prepare for Attack
2.  Fatal Intervention
3.  No Amnesty
4.  D.O.A.
5.  Covering Fire
6.  Killing Tendencies
7.  Scumbag in Disguise
8.  The Cleric
9.  Out of My Way
10.  Time is Up

Total playing time:  42:05

Release Date: March 29, 2011
Label: Candlelight Records

Havok - Time is Up

Reviewer: Peter

April 25, 2011