Well, here we are in 2010 and what a fucking start! Releasing their first original output since 1991's 'Victims Of Deception', Bay Area legends Heathen have come up with an absolute masterpiece of an album here. This should have any fans of the band's classic 'Breaking The Silence' along with any modern day thrash fans in a state of utter ecstasy. 

Featuring original vocalist David White and guitarist Lee Altus from the BTS line-up and long-time drummer Darren Minter, along with new guys Kragen Lum on guitar and bassist Jon Torres, this is a master class how to make a classic METAL album.

Kicking off with a classic Eighties acoustic intro, 'Dying Season' perfectly sets the scene for the album; killer riff, driving rhythms, crunching guitar tones, great vocals (fair play David White always could really belt it out), and just a great.......song. And that's the key here. Too many bands write great riffs but can't write songs for shit. Heathen do great riffs but incorporate them within great songs. 

'Control By Chaos' shows that Lee Altus has brought a lot of his Exodus experience along with him, being built around huge galloping riffs. 'No Stone Unturned' throws a large pinch of Metallica into the mix and slows the pace down a little before the album's highlight, and possibly one of the best songs of this genre I've heard in many a moon, 'Arrows Of Agony'. This song really has everything; riffs, galloping rhythms, a great middle eight, and trade-off solos. When I first heard this I must have repeat-played it about ten times, and headbanged my fucking arse off every single fucking time. 

The rest of the album certainly doesn't dip in any way quality wise either; 'Fade Away' could grace any Bay Area 'Best Of', whilst 'A Heroes Welcome' offers some mellower moments and is yet another great song. 'Undone' and 'Bloodkult' redress the out-and-out thrash balance and 'Red Tears Of Disgrace' and 'Silent Nothingness' round everything off in true style.

I really can't praise 'The Evolution Of Chaos' enough; it is a fucking awesome album and a near perfect way for me to start 2010. If you ever liked the original wave of Bay Area Thrash or are grooving to the new wave that's currently sweeping the metal world you simply have to get this when it's released later this month. Plus, Heathen are touring off the back of this album as well, so dig out the old Hi-Tec's and baseball hat and catch them on tour near you soon, disappointment is not an option here.

If you're a metal or hard rock fan you have to get 'The Evolution Of Chaos'. You just have to. Trust me.

www.myspace.com/heathenmetal