A.N.S.

Since its inception, thrash has been synonymous with beer-swilling heshers and debauchery, as the metal and punk crossover reigned supreme in the mid-'80s. And it's apparent that even in the new millennium the party is still raging. A.N.S. produce a feisty brand of hardcore-infused thrash that harnesses the heavily spastic pacing of Municipal Waste and the dark hedonism of Poison Idea's Feel the Darkness. The album possesses a split personality, as the first half is pure headbanger bliss, with speedy onslaughts "I Killed Porcho," "If You Don't Get It Now (You Never Will)" and "Seized by Fascists," while the other features more experimental, sombre tracks similar to My War-era Black Flag. With their old-school seasoned chops and skate rat persona, A.N.S. have managed to capture that classic style of late '80s thrash, and Pressure Cracks is the perfect throwback to that pivotal time in punk rock.