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There Is Something Wrong is the title of Chicago legendary progressive thrash metal band Aftermath's comeback album; their first studio album in 25 years. Since the days of band's highly appreciated Eyes of Tomorrow debut album, which has stood the test of time very well, the line-up of the band has gone through a few changes: Chris Waldron on bass was replaced by George Lagis and John Lovette left the band, leaving Steve Sacco to take care of all guitars.. So, the question is whether the guys' comeback has been worth the wait? 25 years is a long time, and anything can happen, including changing your musical orientation.

I am glad to say that Aftermath don't let their fans down on this second album. Musically, they have borrowed bits and pieces from the more energetic and punk-fueled thrash style of their 1987 Killing the Future demo with such songs as "Diethanasia" and "Smash Reset Control". If you ever loved this more straightforward and more aggressive style of the band, then you should already know what to expect with their stuff put through the punk filter. Most of the time, the guys operate in the field of progressiveness musically, a style that they developed since their transition from the times of the Killing demo. Songs like "False Flag Flying," "Scientists and Priest" and the title track always seem to lead back to the band's Words That Echo Fear demo and Eyes of Tomorrow album. These three songs are highly original and unique, of course, making Aftermath sound like Aftermath. Included is also one of the band's best old songs, "Temptation Overthrown" off the Words demo, which put a wide smile of satisfaction on my face.

Then comes some criticism as well. The band has used all kinds of strange and even bizarre effects in between and within the songs. The problem is that these effects tend to break the natural flow of their progressive thrash delivery a bit too much, yet they are nearly everywhere on this record. I could have lived without them, and even complete left out such intros/outros as "A Handful of Dynamite" and "Expulsion", as they really don't add any true value to the album.