Hot Graves

When it comes to d-beat thrash and old school death metal there are only so many American bands that can successfully pull off the alchemy necessary to turn the vintage Euro sounds of their influences into their own convincing, stateside versions. Hot Graves's ability to perform this feat successfully is one of the chief reasons they've received praise from Fenriz, that ultimate tastemaker in underground filth. Tearing through nine minutes of speedy, crust-caked aggression as though the last 20 years never happened, Desecration Time displays steadfast devotion to hardcore-laced Swedish masters like No Security mixed with the occasional sprinkling of Morbid Angel blast beats and even a nod to Paradise Lost-style dirge ("Desecration Time"). The proceedings are capped off with a cover of Anti Cimex's "Make My Day," which, although not groundbreaking, undoubtedly keeps the faith, and for a band this married to the sins of metal's past, that is the only mission they need to accomplish.