Thrash Metal bands have certainly come out in sheer mass lately, but Crossover still seems to be the underground mental case it always was playing in the undercurrents of the style. Although MUNICIPAL WASTE and to an extent GAMA BOMB were able to garner some larger success in the style, the rest are bands one have to dig for to find. Just like BOMBNATION’s sophomore effort “Crossovered With Rage”. It’s an album that does nothing to venture from Thrash and Punk’s bastard child of sound, but ably displays some of it at its best too.

One thing that BOMBNATION is able to cohesively do is pour energy out of every single part of “Crossovered With Rage”. Whether its the wrist breaking riff speed, the flurries of melodic leads, the bass structures, or the neck snapping drum pacing (with that now all important snare pop and cymbal one-two) these Canadian Thrashers are laying it on thick. To be honest, it’s the energy that sells Crossover and this sophomore effort does it admirably.

Even if musically BOMBNATION isn’t adding a lot of new things to the mix, the writing on “Crossovered With Rage” is solid. The vocals throw in more of a pure Thrash style with its Punk shouted basics and occasional shrieking notes. Adding in a slew of great group chants on some of the shorter tracks like “Bastard Muesces” and some mid tempo moments (short moments of course and the song “Mental Room”) and “Crossovered With Rage” sparks some fun, energetic music that just catches the attention of its listeners.

“Crossovered With Rage” might not be anything new, but fans of the previously mentioned larger acts are going to devour this band up with fury. This sophomore effort sparks with efficiency and knowledge of the genre that inspires a middle finger in the air attitude with headbanging results. Highly recommended for Crossover fans!

Songs to check out: “Green Machine”, “Phospho Sasquatch”, “Mental Room”.

(Online February 15, 2012)