Band:	Holy Moses
Album:	Redefined Mayhem
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	April 2014

01. Hellhound
02. Triggered
03. Undead Dogs
04. Into The Dark
05. Sacred Sorrows
06. Process Of Projection
07. Fading Realities
08. Liars
09. Redemption Of The Shattered
10. Whet The Knife
11. Delusion
12. One Step Ahead Of Death
13. This Dirt

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. But, if your dog's name is Holy Moses, you really don't need to.

Even though the band was one of the forerunners of the German thrash movement, they were never considered a part of the "Big 3" (four, if you count Tankard). Maybe because their stand-out album, Finished With The Dogs, wasn't released until 1987 (I really won't count their debut album, sorry) while the "others" already had some remarkable releases in circulation. Who knows - regardless, today's Holy Moses is still as relevant to thrash metal as they were back in the Eighties. Case in point, their newest album Redefined Mayhem.

Mayhem - "needless or willful damage or violence". Damage to your neck muscles and violently moshing in the pit? Without a doubt.

Redefine - "to reexamine or reevaluate especially with a view to change". Change, as in Holy Moses incorporated more of their death and black metal influences into the new album? Cool with me, since they never stuck to a strict "thrash formula" and usually had some off-genre elements complimenting their sound anyways. "Triggered", the second track on the album would be one of those examples, as well as "Redemption Of The Shattered". While the latter is still thrashy, and I couldn't stop headbanging, it is also more progressive in nature. And dat guitar solo - holy moses crap. As a matter of fact, if change also meant to have those ridiculously awesome solos and/or riffs in the album - bring it. Don't get me wrong, Holy Moses always had some great guitarists and the genre demands guitar driven songs, but their new shredder (Peter "Pete" Geltat) is just criminally good.

And speaking of good, I was immediately drawn to "Undead Dogs" and somehow can't shake the urge to scream "PHOBIA" every time I listen to it now; especially at the beginning of the guitar solo. While "Delusion", another "odd-man-out" song, and somehow among my favorites on the album, is a very simple track, the constant male backing vocals add a dark undertone to it. Or "Into The Dark", which starts slow and atmospheric before going all apeshit - head banging not only promised but guaranteed.

Throughout the entire album, the bass is not only thumping but also very high in the mix. Bassist Thomas Neitsch brings something to the table in each and every song on Redefined Mayhem and Gerd Lücking is no slouch behind his kit neither. There are no useless "let's hit the snare or cymbal just for the heck of it" which makes for a very enjoyable listening experience. Last but certainly not least, Sabina Classen cements her legacy as one of the few female harsh vocalists in this male dominated genre once more; woman got pipes.

While Redefined Mayhem might not go down as THE thrash metal album of Holy Moses, I am almost certain that old, as well as newfound fans, will spin it more than once or twice. Seriously, even after the third listening I heard passages, riffs, screams or shouts which I didn't notice before. Make sure you give it a thorough listening before you pass judgment.