When one listens to an album and is reminded of work done by another artist or artists, it can be for any number of reasons; it could be influence, homage, imitation, or downright plagiarism.

In this case I will be generous and say that it is imitation, as ACANTHA contain too much of IRON MAIDEN and Bay Are Thrash, particularly TESTAMENT, without adding enough that is unique for this album to qualify as having been “influenced” by the aforementioned bands.

That ACANTHA like IRON MAIDEN is obvious, as this is an early Thrash sound mixed with a lot of twin guitar melodies. It also makes frequent use of galloping bass rhythms that are reminiscent of Steve Harris. Some tracks even called to mind specific songs, such as “Born Of Fire,” an instrumental track that more than a little resembles the classic “Losfer Words (Big 'Orra).”

This album is proficient, but it is nothing special. It clearly suffers from a lack of originality, and it is not performed expertly enough to set it apart from other bands like EVILE, MUNICIPAL WASTE, and TOXIC HOLOCAUST that are leading the retro-Thrash movement.

(Online May 23, 2009)