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Formed in Vancouver, Canada in 2008, Crucifliction have been called Canada's answer to Megadeth, and on their self-funded second album K.K.N.D (or Krush, Kill, aNd Destroy, which is either a reference to the RTS game series of the same name or a prime example of really stretching what counts as an abbreviation), it's not hard to see why. They play a brand of Heavy/Thrash Metal that displays a good amount of diversity and complexity. While there are clear similarities to Megadeth in the shredding guitar work and the Mustaine-esque delivery of vocalist/guitarist Chris Robertson, the band has a lot more ambition than just being a cheap copycat (granted, the opening of "U.S.S.A." sounds a lot like a certain Megadeth song. You'll know it when you hear it). Rather, they build on what made Megadeth so popular to create their own take on their sound, which shows a genuine desire to do more than just ride their coattails.

It always baffles me that bands this talented have to go on unsigned while trend-whoring hacks get signed to a label without issue. This is an album that may have a cover that is a perfect example of why Photoshop shouldn't be used by just anyone, but it's also a damn impressive slab of technical Heavy/Thrash that recalls the past greats of the genre in their prime without being a wholesale imitation. Recommended.