For a band that’s been around for as long as I’ve been alive, it’s quite impressive/shocking that Caustic Attack (The End) is only the fourth full-length release from Los Angeles stalwarts, Terrorizer. While the catalog may not be expansive the vicious sounds that were so widely tape traded and finally properly captured on the Scott Burns’ produced classic, World Downfall (Earache) is deeply ingrained in Metal DNA, particularly in the fun stuff.

Let’s face it, without the teeth smashing noise from acts like Terrorizer, Napalm Death and Sarcofago we don’t get the blooming and wide extremity of bands like Full Of Hell, Pig Destroyer or Horrendous. With their name properly secured on the metal masthead you’d think the remaining members of Terrorizer would be taking it easy these days. Just by listening to the controlled demolition of Pete Sandoval’s drums on ‘Crisis’ and ‘Conflict and Despair’ is to paint a picture of a man far from relaxing. At age 49 he’s demolishing his kit and running fills like an angry young man.

And with song titles like ‘Sharp Knives’ and ‘Trench of Corruption,’ you understand we’re in for an irate time. Fortunately for Sandoval, bassist/vocalist Sam Molina and guitarist Lee Harrison are perfectly suited to match that fury. The title track attaches it jaws firmly upon your neck and violently drags you through a muddy Grindcore landscape. ‘Poison Gas Tsunami’ is a one-minute ass kicking where Sandoval’s savage work openly challenges you to doubt his designation as father of the blast beat.

Then that white-hot rage gets tricky. Maybe an album called Caustic Attack is a bit too caustic. Things get running so hot that perhaps we forgot to drop in some proper leads and solos. I think inserting some finger bending leads into the fiery cores of ‘Terror Cycles’ and ‘Infiltration’ would help fan the flames all while adding to the primarily monochrome palette. And while it seems like Sandoval and his crew have plenty to get off their chests, the message would’ve been best received in let’s say twelve songs as opposed to fourteen.

But don’t let this black and white song approach dismay you, Terrorizer are as important and vital as ever in 2018 as they were in 1987.

7.0/10

HANS LOPEZ