Pasadena Napalm Division – Pasadena Napalm Division

Pasadena Napalm Division's membership should speak volumes for fans of thrash and hardcore: D.R.I frontman Kurt Brecht joins forces with members of 80s heavy metal crew Dead Horse on the long overdue debut release from the project, which was initially formed in 2008. It's unmistakeably old-school, tongue-in-cheek American punk rock crossed over with speed metal; the results are unsurprisingly derivative, but the band score points with the sheer playfulness on display here.

 

Brecht's traditional punk rock bellow is often traded for a hoarse, half-spoken, ranting style, most notably on All of a Sudden Dead and the aforementioned Bleached Blonde Despair, whereas Murder The Bearded Lady Killer boasts an enraged vocal performance from Municipal Waste's Tony Foresta, who also contributes on around half of the album's tracks. There's even hints of early Beastie Boys in the bratty gang-shouts of the opener, 100 Beers With a Zombie. Pasadena Napalm Division is what it is: an entertaining slice of fan-service. [Ross Watson]