TOXIC HOLOCAUST

Primal Future: 2019 EONE

Portland’s blackened thrash warrior goes on a solo, retro raid

Toxic Holocaust isn’t a name that ever comes up during discussions on the topic of modernity, but even mastermind Joel Grind has turned the clock back for his pet-project’s sixth album.

Primal Future: 2019 not only tackles the dystopian technology-vs-human themes popular in the 80s, but has Joel reverting to the band’s roots by playing all instruments as well as producing, mixing and mastering the record. The output remains crossoverinfused blackened thrash that’s simultaneously raw and sophisticated, as evidenced by the precise riffing and tumbling feel of Chemical Warlords and

Iron Cage. These butter

Joel’s bread, though the album’s dynamic reach is expanded with the doomy title track and Cybernetic War, which could be a cover of the most obscure b-side by the NWOBHM’S most obscure band. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: English Dogs, Sodom, Bulldozer

CONNIE GORDON