Demiricous is part of a promising young crop of new thrash artists to appear in recent years. One could label their music as neo-thrash for it contains many of elements of classic thrash, but also has a modern twist. Their debut album, “One (Hellbound),” released in 2006 by Metal Blade, showed a definite Slayer influence, primarily in the their use of chugging breaks. Harsh vocals, blasting drumbeats and a lower tuning briefly summarize the band’s initial sound. Their follow up album, “Two (Poverty)” retains many of those qualities, but shows the band tweaking their sound even closer to that of Slayer.

The most obvious change found on “Two” occurs in the vocals. Vocalist, Nate Olp abandoned his gruff growls in favor of a cleaner, shouting voice that reminds of Tom Araya. This cleaner vocal approach makes the music more driven with attitude, and draws a clearer outline under his words, resulting in more of a listener-friendly sound. The echoing choruses of “Language of Oblivion” and “Tusk and Claw” have a primal quality that when isolated really makes for memorable parts.

The music on “Two” stays true to its predecessor, especially in the chugging, breakdown grooves, but as that technique previously defined their music, it only serves to enhance this album. Diversity is an apt description in both the vocals and the music on “Two.”

“Never Enough Road” opens the album with an old school, hardcore kind of swagger, before breaking it down with quick triplets. “Expression of Immunity” is a mixture of speed metal picking, flowing grooves, and Olps projecting his voice over the duration of Dustin Boltjes’ rapid blast beats. “Acid Lung” is the band at its tightest, keeping in perfect time with Boltjes through rapid stops and starts and complicated rhythms. The chugging gallop at the end of the track and solo work is some of the best guitar work of the band’s career.

Some support the resurgence of thrash going on America for many reasons. They may like the nostalgic feel and perceive this movement as healthy for metal because it is keeping that timeless sound alive. On the flip side are the ones against it, claiming it is rehashed material and possibly perceive these bands as poseurs. Regardless of feelings about this topic, “Two (Poverty)” is worthy of a listen because, though and through, it is a sold metal album.

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