By now everyone into old school Thrash should’ve heard about the HIRAX reunion as Katon and the guys seem to be more motivated and dedicated than ever before nowadays, promoting themselves like crazy! Their first new musical sign was the "El Diablo Negro" EP, which Laurent already reviewed when it was issued as a 7" vinyl picture disc not too long ago. The CD version features the same 3 songs and I still totally agree with his opinion – it is not necessarily the best stuff that HIRAX could’ve come up with. Luckily their newest MCD "Barrage Of Noise" turned out way more convincing, as it comes up with 8 tracks in the wellknown raw and uncompromising, old HIRAX tradition, still mixing extreme Thrash Metal with the aggression of early Hardcore / Crossover. Katon’s unique vocals are still a huge trademark of the band, even though he partly has become a little more angry sounding nowadays, which is completely fine with me as it gives the whole material a lot more intensity. "Blasted In Bangkok" is a re-release of the band’s 3-song EP from 1987 and kinda like the missing link between the new material and their alltime classics "Raging Violence" and "Hate Fear And Power". The CD version comes up with the original 1984 version of ‘Bombs Of Death’ as a bonus. In connection with the other releases this is a good proof that HIRAX haven’t changed too much ever since those glorious days! All these very well packaged items, as well as a CD version of PHANTASM’s "Wreckage"demo (with 9 additional live bonus tracks!), are available directly from Deep Six Records, P.O. Box 6911, Burbank, CA 91510, USA. No prices mentioned, but feel free to ask at www.DeepSixRecords.com. For all further HIRAX info check out www.HIRAX.org