The thrash revival has been praised and criticised in equal parts from the metal mainstream, and the arguments usually run down the usual lines taken by metalheads. On the one hand, we’re getting the spirit of the early 80s back, with wild headbanging, insane partying, breakneck thrashing, brutal riffs, the lot. No one needs reminding of the Bay Area/California pioneers, but let’s not forget the crazy maniacs in Finland and the Kraut krazies in Germany as well. Naysayers claim it’s the trendy thing now to be into thrash; labels are seizing on to them, mags are hailing them as the second Metallica/Slayer/Testament/Exodus etc, and basically the scene’s expiry is long overdue.

Personally I’m happy for this so-called thrash revival. I didn’t grow up with the Bay Area scene, I’ve only listened to the bands ad hoc and retrospectively. From what I hear though, the spirit of the 80s is well alive. Sure, there isn’t the social commentary that Metallica, Sacred Reich or Megadeth brought to the table. But there are a lot of parallels with the wild, hedonistic, devil-may-care attitude of the bands of the 80s; paradoxically coupled with a heavy workaholic touring schedule and heavier partying regime. The music? Listen for yourself. Copycat? Slightly. Well, very heavily influenced, shall we say. It’s all there, the speed, filth, rawness and violence. Wednesday night at the Carling Academy Islington showcased two up-and-coming English thrash bands, together with Floridian band Toxic Holocaust, and the headliners Municipal Waste.