Coming into this year, I had, and obviously still do, an absolute fuck ton of new albums from bands that I love coming out for me to become swamped in as the year rolls on. The first one that’s marked off comes in the form of Dust Bolt whose last album is still fucking stupendous and one of my favorite pieces of thrash, but the singles left me wanting something more as “Trapped In Chaos” neared its release, and it started to worry me a little. Fortunately, my worries were for naught as for the fourth time in a row, Dust Bolt has done nothing but devastate with their brand of eviscerating thrash.

Truly, the greatest tragedy that us fans of the band have to deal with for “Trapped In Chaos” is the loss of our beloved mascot hazmat suit man who, to my knowledge, has remained nameless all these years in all of his agonizing glory. Yet, that’s where the disappointments end for me as yet again Dust Bolt has done no less than impress and conquer with this new album that takes their awesome sound and tweaks it just a little. “Trapped In Chaos” feels a little heavier, a little tighter on the production side of the album, yet it’s still distinctly Dust Bolt in every capacity and these eight tracks are that exact jolt of thrash that I’ve been needing more of in my life. This young but prolific act has managed to make their fourth record in nine years, but in no way do these Germans show any sign of slowing down whether it be in their release schedule, the songs themselves, or in quality, and that’s what helps me appreciate “Trapped In Chaos”. With all of its visceral approach to everything, while not being afraid to lament at the end of the record (think “Exit” from album three), Dust Bolt doesn’t manage to stumble for even a second as they expertly pass from one slab of flesh-rending speed to the next be it in the form of one of the singles like “Bloody Rain” or some of the underdogs of the record like “Rhythm to My Madness” that have that special flavor of Dust Bolt toxicity. It all comes together to create what’s arguably the best thrash record I’ve heard for a while, and that’s after sifting through a whole lot, and yet Dust Bolt still finds a way to come back on top for me.

Truth be told, I still prefer “Mass Confusion” to this record by a far margin, but in no way does that mean “Trapped In Chaos” is anywhere near a weak record. Quite the opposite! Every track has the capacity to grow on you real quick and the fire of Dust Bolt that I’ve come to love has only grown stronger as “Trapped In Chaos” now becomes the latest addition to the band’s already scathing discography.

LISTEN to tracks from “Trapped In Chaos” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Dust Bolt on Facebook here.

FOLLOW Dust Bolt on Twitter: @DUSTBOLTband