I was and am a huge fan of Culture of Violence, Extinction A.D’s previous album so expectations for To the Detested were quite high. Truthfully, I would have been more than satisfied if it was just Culture of Violence Part !!. It’s not, but the high-energy spirit remains the same.

I do intros, but luckily Extinction A.D. doesn’t. On the opening track, “Desperate Grasp,” the first riff is basically a breakdown. Fitting nicely into that crossover thrash sub-genre, if you’re a fan of Enforced, Power Trip, Spiritworld, and many others like them, you’ll enjoy this, and it accurately portrays most of the rest of the album.

“Epidemic of Mutation” is another banger a couple of tracks later. At about 50 seconds, there’s a brief pinch harmonics section, and I’m all about it. Around 2 minutes, the harmonics come back. Then comes a great solo. The main riff itself is quite heavy and will elicit some windmill headbanging.

Immediately following is “Apocalypse Rising” with its crunchy riff. It’s one of the longer tracks, but that just means it’s over minutes. The main riff is nasty. You know the “filthy riff” face. It may have crept across mine. In my opinion (obviously), this happens frequently on To the Detested. What should also be of note across the entire album is the tuneful, sometimes bordering on epic guitar solos. The one on display here may be the best on the album, especially when it’s over that main riff.

One track that will certainly get people talking is “Burnt Sienna.” There’s a brief documentary on YouTube regarding its origins rooted in Bomba Music. If you’re not familiar, it will be immediately apparent when the track begins. To say it’s a departure would be an understatement. I was surprised when I first heard it, but once I saw the documentary, it clicked. I highly recommend it.

The closing track is called “The Cure or the Cause,” and it follows the same infectious energy as the rest of the album. I have to point out that it’s difficult for me to think of an album this year that has so many infectious, heavy riffs. There’s also a well-placed “Ough” in the breakdown, which warms the Cold Lake of my Tom G. Warrior heart. Don’t hate me for that one.

If you couldn’t tell, I’m happy with the results of the new album. I still haven’t done myself the service of digging through Extinction A.D.’s back catalog. That’s something I must rectify. We’ll see if I do it before the next one. While I haven’t heard it, I could not be more confident it kicks just as much ass as what I have heard.

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