The Last Thing Undone

Blackend comes back with The Last Thing Undone, their third album so far. They try to combine typical thrash elements with a lot of melody "à la" Metallica or Testament once did. They are more groovy overall compare to other thrash bands, but after Sloth (1997) and Mental.Game.Messiah (1999), The Last Thing Undone has a taste of "déja-vu". The songs are straight, not catchy enough for my taste and these musicians forget to packed melodies here and there. Fronter Micheal (vocals and guitars) is definitely not the best singer up to date. The compositions and the arrangements are weaker and weaker song after song and the vocals are completely out of tune. Everything in The Last Thing Undone has been written by the master (thrash metal, Testament, Metallica) and the new Swedish thrash school (In Flames, Soilwork, Raised Hell) is much more innovative. Of course, this is true for my personal taste and I prefer to listen to other stuff than these guys as there is too many indifferent moments (not to say boring songs). For me it is like wasting your time, but if you like thrash metal and you think you're brave enough, try them.