Band: Lazarus A.D.
Title: Black Rivers Flow
Label: Metal Blade Records
Distribution: Rough Trade Benelux.
Release date: January 28th 2011
Review: CD

Wisconsin-based Lazarus A.D. are a Thrash / Groove combo, formed in 2005 and initially acting without the ‘A.D.’-extension. But with the knowledge that there are so many bands with that very same moniker, and therefore to avoid legal procedures as well, the name soon changed into the current one.
After a rather successful demo, Lazarus A.D. signed to major Metal Blade Records, and in 2009 the band released The Onslaught (review posted on March 10th 2009), their full length debut, which launched the band to the top of the American scene.
During summer 2010, Dan Gapen (g, v), Ryan Shutler (d), Alex Lackner (g) and Jeff Paulick (v, b) entered the Belle City Sound (These Are They etc.) studio to record the sophomore album. The final mix and mastering were done little after by James Murphy at Safehouse Production (Success Will Write Apocalypse Across The Sky a.o.).

Black Rivers Flow, with duration of forty two minutes, goes on in the vein of The Onslaught, with two differences: Groove and modernism.
When it comes to the first, ‘groove’, well, it might be rather clear. Still this band brings Thrash-injected Metal, but Black Rivers Flow is much groovier than The Onslaught, which did groove all the way. It gives the whole a thrash’n’rollin’ energy. All right, still some parts might have been inspired by, let’s say, Metallica, Pantera or Testament, yet for sure it’s done with a catchier Rock-attitude.
About the increased modern approach: several tracks on the band’s debut were written years before the actual recording, when some of the members were still in high school. Now the guys composed ‘young’ material, influenced by more recent trends (like more clean vocals; guitarist Dan now acts as second vocalist as well). At the same time, the old school elements sound refreshingly flexible. Besides, Lazarus A.D. did tour a lot, which strengthened the cohesion and skills.
What didn’t change are the dynamic drive, the joy to play, and well-balanced interaction between rhythm, tempo and melody. Indeed this album both goes on in the vein of the debut, and differs from it as well, but those who could appreciate The Onslaught certainly need to check out Black Rivers Flow.

70/100

Ivan Tibos.