The gents over at Horror Pain Gore Death Productions have been steady with their reissues and whatnot. This time around, the label was kind enough to re-release the out of print EP from Canada’s thrash troupe Minax. Vengeance Rising is a collection of five pissed off, riff-laden thrash tracks that are as in your face as a beggar with a raging case of halitosis.

Musically, Minax don’t do anything spectacular but their influences are easy to spot. You’ll be treated to a cornucopia of ‘80s thrash riffs from Exciter, Grim Reaper, Artillery, Devastation, Dark Angel, Death Angel, Vio-Lence, etc. Considering this originally came out in 2009, it’s no surprise because that was essentially the height of the whole retro thrash movement.

Vengeance Rising is a decent offering of rehashed riffs from 20-30 years ago, but it does serve the purpose of reliving the glory days of thrash. The guitars are tight and furious, as are the drums. However, the main sticking point for the album, good or bad, is vocalist Cara McCutchen. Her lyrics are overflowing with rage and vitriol and her growls are nasty, but it’s when she sings “regularly” that will either make people gravitate to her or run for the hills.

When McCutchen goes for the mountaintops with her high octave bellows, they usually sound out of key and out of place. Sounding like she’s trying to go the old Overkill or Metal Church route, McCutchen tends to sometimes be too much in front of the music, which greatly takes away from the songs.

In the end, Vengeance Rising isn’t the greatest EP ever released (obviously) but it’s also not a lousy starting point. It’s been three years since the world last heard from Minax and we’re curious to see what strides the Canucks have made. This one is probably best suited for the diehard thrash fiends only though it wouldn’t kill you to scoop it up for a few bucks.

[Visit the band's website]

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