A decade has passed since Virginia crossover thrashers Municipal Waste told everyone that they were going to fuck you up, and now the band are back with their sixth studio record ‘Slime and Punishment’– their first since 2012’s ‘The Fatal Feast’. Considering Municipal Waste’s undeniable status as one of contemporary thrash’s most iconic acts, this album will draw a considerable amount of attention – and with that in mind let’s begin.
“Breathe Grease” opens the record as its first track, and its predominantly stereotypical thrash flavours will come as no surprise to long-term fans of the band, as will the fact that this song is less than 2 minutes in length – a common trend across the music Municipal Waste has produced since their inception. What becomes apparent quickly is the focus on improved musicianship certainly in terms of guitar (as the band added a second guitarist in 2015, Nick Poulos, to compliment the efforts of Ryan Waste), and the vocals of frontman Tony Foresta sound even more unpolished and raw than they have on some of the band’s previous releases.
The tracks that follow are “Enjoy the Night” and “Dingy Situations” – a rapid bass riff opens the 48-second composition that is the former track, with noticeable chanted vocals that will certainly make more of an impression if the band adds this song to their live set. The latter song adds to what I was saying about “Breathe Grease” in that the members of Municipal Waste have upped their instrumental capabilities significantly since ‘The Fatal Feast’.
At this point I should add that just Municipal Waste having a song called “Shrednecks” perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere of this band and their music. If you dig blisteringly fast and uncompromising thrash metal, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. The slightly slower, mid-tempo section also adds a nice change of pace, meaning the listener can have a slight breather as the song gradually comes to its appropriate conclusion.
“Poison the Preacher” would not feel out of place on ‘The Art of Partying’, and since that record is my favourite Municipal Waste album (cliché, I know) this really is good to hear that the band are able to revisit the best parts of their past while still looking towards the future. In addition, Tony Foresta’s signature vocal style on “Bourbon Discipline” – consisting of a snarled and snotty bark – is in my opinion at its best on this song. The instrumental section behind him also embraces a more melodic side for once at the beginning of this track, again demonstrating the abilities this band have added to their arsenal with their traditional thrash metal firepower.
[metalwani_content_ad]
We’re approaching the halfway point of the record right about now, with the songs “Parole Violators” and the title track “Slime and Punishment” (again a song title which totally sums up Municipal Waste.) I think it is difficult to listen to the opening moments of “Parole Visitors” and not think of the Metallica classic “Jump in the Fire”, but soon the track embraces its own personality and truly becomes its own musical beast – specifically with the ferocious chant of “fuck you, man!” and the subsequent police sirens following audible excitement. The album’s titular song “Slime and Punishment”, you would think would be one of the standout moments, and it is my pleasure to say that you will not be disappointed in the slightest. The groovy, stomping backbeat in the rhythm section somehow makes the vocals sound even more poignant, which is impressive to say the least.
“Amateur Sketch”, “Excessive Celebration”, “Low Tolerance” and “Under the Waste Command” begin to draw things to a close. Like the tracks before it, these songs draw from the 80s thrash and hardcore punk influence that the music of Municipal Waste has drawn so heavily on over the course of the band’s career. Just to round things off now with the last two songs on ‘Slime and Punishment’ – “Death Proof” is the longest song on the album while still being less than 3 minutes long. Fear not though, because the classic Municipal Waste vibes are still loud and clear on this penultimate track, and “Think Fast” to end the record blasts you in the face with its frequent rhythm changes and sprinkles of guitar and bass wizardry.
If you have even a passing interest in Municipal Waste as a band or crossover-thrash as a musical entity (specifically bands such as Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies and Agnostic Front), you must check out this album. While I do not consider ‘Slime and Punishment’ to be their finest work, Municipal Waste have still nonetheless recorded possibly their best set of songs since the 2007 classic ‘The Art of Partying’. Anyone who tells you that thrash is dead needs to hear this album.
I’m seeing Municipal Waste live this coming August, and this record being as good as it is makes me so much more excited for it. Do yourself a favour and get this album – you’ll be supporting a great band.