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British thrashers Rift are a relatively active band: Purge is already their second album in just two years.

There have been some line-up changes since their debut album, Super Killer Fragile. The core unit is now Simon Jones (vocals and guitar) and Joy Graham (drums), so gone are both bassist Rod Boston and guitarist James Stephenson.

As a duo, the band pushed forward and recorded this follow-up album, which isn't as aggressive and tight sounding but is still a well-executed and cohesive wholeness. The album is also a step up in terms of originality. If one was able to make some musical references to bands like Testament or Slayer on their previous album, it's much tougher to make them on this follow-up record. The band is definitely finding its own musical route, bringing their frenzied, nicely melodic and full-on Thrash Metal anthems out to the masses.

Unfortunately, this outing is also a step back production-wise, not sounding as powerful and dynamic as their debut did (or my earplugs did an ugly trick on me while this stuff was on). However, that doesn't lessen the value of their material which still is thoroughly enjoyable and easily digested.