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Hailing from, of all places, Boise, Idaho, Ripchain have been around for a while (formed in 2004, according to M-A) and Dying on the Vine is the band's debut full-length album. Ripchain play a curious mix of classic, Bay-area Thrash and modern groove that makes me think of late-80s Slayer, Testament and maybe D.R.I. and Dr. Living Dead! from today. The playing is fast and furious and the guitars have a nice, fat sound. The groove elements are obvious but not egregious, so Dying on the Vine is easy to sit through. What isn't so easy is remembering anything thing about it when it's over. The songwriting is completely generic and there's nothing in the performances to distinguish Ripchain from any other band playing this style. I don't hate Dying on the Vine but I can't think of much reason to seek it out, either.