I’ve had a Power Trip sized hole in my heart since the untimely passing of Riley Gale. Last year’s Spiritworld helped fill it temporarily (giggity), but not permanently. What I didn’t anticipate was an album on Unique Leader, the undisputed kings of deathcore, staking a claim. So, here comes Extinction AD.

The title track is the first, “Culture of Violence,” and it smokes. One could draw comparisons to Power Trip, but also Toxic Holocaust and maybe even some Machine Head. A little over two minutes in, they bring a quick breakdown, which abruptly turns into a solo section. On the first few listens, this sounds out of place, but it segues back into a killer Pantera esque breakdown to end the track.

There are standout moments all over the album. If you listen to track 4, “Mastic,” you’ll see they’re not easily bothered by persistence. Despite that reference, it’s more Reinventing the Steel era Pantera on display, including in those Phil Anselmo styled vocals, which switch back and forth between that, metalcore, and newer thrash. The last 30 seconds might be the best of the track with that quick breakdown, something these guys do well.

In “1992,” the next track, Extinction AD pull off the same tricks they have so far in the previous ones, which is not the worst thing in the world considering they do it all very well, but at this point, halfway through the album, one could be forgiven for thinking they’re one dimensional, but let’s be honest. When they pull similar compositional tricks on “Heads Will Roll,” that argument has some merit.

That’s where the following track, the slightly longer “Behind The Times” comes in. This one has that crossover appeal and has more of a hardcore stomp in the verses. Luckily, with the extended runtime, that also makes the solo section a little longer. However, the ending tricks they pull, with slowing things down still apply here.

The next track, “Star Spangled Banner” stands out near the end of the album for a few reasons. It’s mainly the same as the other tracks, but has a lengthier solo section, but also some more variety in the vocals. Mixed in are thrash style cleans and even a few death growls. This song also does not have the same ending as the rest of them.

So, will you like it, do I like it, and should you add it to your collection? “Yes” to all three in my mind. This album is high energy, infectious, and a shot of adrenaline for lifting, running, and doing pretty much anything but sitting still. Yeah, it has a lot of the same tricks. No, it’s not anything you haven’t heard before, but there’s something to be said for enthusiasm, and that of Extinction AD carries what could just be a knock off into an excellent crossover thrash album.

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