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From a Distant View is the second album from young German thrashers Toxic Waltz, released on the new German label Violent Creek Records. The band's 2014 debut album, titled Decades of Pain, was already a promising release, proving Toxic Waltz is hungry to make Thrash Metal and the Bay Area sound in particular.

On From a Distant View, Toxic Waltz are even more determined and hungrier to get a big chunk of Bay Area-isms sunk into their own sound and you know what, they have succeeded in doing so. They take the aggression of Vio-lence and melodiousness of Forbidden and then melt these two ingredients seamlessly into their songs. For example, "Generosity Exploited" is pretty much Vio-worship from start to finish, with razor-sharp guitar riffs attacking from every direction, making you breathless in no time. The title track, "From a Distant View," follows in the same footprints, trying to make your neck snap for good. The same words easily apply to "Secret War." Huge riff fests just don't leave you for a passing moment. Also, to their credit, it must be said that they have really put time and effort into reaching this neck-breaking and jaw-dropping wholeness, having this strong addiction to recycling some of the best elements from the 80s Bay Area Thrash Metal. They love to thrash in the spirit of old times – and what's even better, they also know how to do it with a good and convincing taste, without sounding corny or irritating one bit.

If Toxic Waltz isn't the most Bay Area-sounding Thrash Metal band from the European soil, they are at least the most Bay Area-tinged Thrash act from Germany, there's just no doubt about it. Just get this – you won't regret it, believe me!