Thrash/Speed Metal band Paradox are no strangers to the scene, and as the “II” by the title above may suggest, they are out to further cement that statement by revisiting what is possibly their best known release from way back in 1990 – “Heresy”. Paradox have always occupied a sort of middle ground, mixing a familiar European Thrash of Kreator or Destruction with some U.S. Speed Metal of say Overkill or Omen, and “Heresy” (which was their second album), was where they really nailed that style which they’d become synonymous with, so why not do a second part to it?
Vocalist/guitarist Charly Steinhauer has been pretty much flying the flag for Paradox solo as the only original member for the last 30 years, but this album also sees the return of original drumming powerhouse Alex Blaha – and immediately there is an added authenticity to their sound. Blaha is old school. A true Speed/Thrash Metal drummer from the time – he knows all the tricks and flicks, fast as you like – thwacka-thwacka-thwacka-thwacka – classic thrash, right down to the snare sound. He doesn’t try to do too much, just augment the riffs and power the songs through to their conclusion. And so in turn it’s those very riffs and arrangements that Paradox display throughout the album which are allowed to lend even more validity and credibility to this Speed/Thrash odyssey – this really could have been released right after “Heresy”, and the lyrical concept continues the theme to emphasise the point even further. The line-up is completed by bassist Olly Keller (who has been in and out of the band for the last 20 odd years) alongside well respected, guitar virtuoso Christian Munzer, who adds another slight twist – a modern, mature touch to the lead work, bringing their sound bang up to date (along with the production) rather than being just a wander back to past glories.
This album is certainly not just an excuse to revisit the past…well, it is, obviously, but it’s more – this is a band who have reached a point when they can revisit their glory days with the confidence that they can better them in some way. “Heresy” (the original) maybe isn’t known by too many as an absolute classic of the genre (it was maybe just a little late to the party), but more a hidden gem that has been steadily discovered by the more discerning, adventurous Thrashers in the last 30 years, as it seemingly was at the time. “Heresy II – End Of A Legend” has all the driven, blasting, thrashiness that its predecessor displayed, but with an added maturity that becomes more evident with further listens. So if “Heresy” was, as many fans state, Paradox’s best album, then “Heresy II – End Of A Legend” is right up there with it, meaning this was exactly the right time for Part II!
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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