They may be older than your average crusty dudes playing a thrashy, punk/metal hybrid, but the guys in this band — who have all done time in Face Down In Shit, the Fucking Champs, and Look Back And Laugh — have enough energy, aggression, and attitude to make some of the youngsters look weak. Seriously, if you think about it, these guys were around for the salad days of some genres they mix together, so why wouldn’t they play it with a little more authenticity than someone who wasn’t there? In their case, age is only a number.

Their riffs are fantastic, managing to recall Master Of Puppets-era Metallica without any of the pretensions. They also keep the songs relatively short and to the point, stripping the fat away until they are bone hard and ready to mess you up. Now some of you might be complaining that this doesn’t sound like the most original sound around. Well, in some ways you might be right, but in this case, you just ignore that fact because the band just kicks so much ass. This is no-bullshit music for people who still want to rage no matter their age.

They also have a song called “Funemployment,” which, judging by the times we live in, is so up-to-date it’s scary. Plus, there are other enchanting entries entitled “Greetings From The Salton Sea” and “Gun Fund,” so you know they are keeping it real and dirty.

This is definitely a pleasant surprise. It is worth checking out.

(Kemado Records, 87 Guernsey Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11222)