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Necrogenesis, the debut from unsigned Spanish Thrashers Reek, was a pleasant surprise. Thrash Metal of the West Coast, specifically Death Angel, style is what these guys play and they play it well. The songs are technical, without being esoteric, and generally played at high speed, and when combined with the half-shouted vocals, will give you the feeling that you're listening to something mid-way between Frolic Through the Park and Act III. Why, they even have an acoustic number, "Ethereal Shadows," that is quite similar to Death Angel's "Room With a View," though the Reek track is an instrumental. They follow that song up with a second instrumental and, while it is always odd when bands string multiple non-lyric tracks together, "Landscape of Elysium," showcases some mighty fine lead guitar work. Even the sound of the snare, when the drummer hits the rim, sounds like Death Angel.

I've gone to great lengths to compare Reek to Death Angel but the similarities just keep smacking me in the face as I listen to Necrogenesis, so I think it is only fair to make that clear. Obviously, if you don't like Death Angel, or slightly technical West Coast Thrash, this album isn't going to do you any favors. If you do enjoy that stuff, Reek do it well and even though they mimic the Californian legends quite a bit, you won't care once you start listening because this is some good shit.