Centering their vision on social engineering and media influence Alberta, Canada-based thrash metal quartet HAZZERD return for a third full-length album ready to start up a new, slightly less damned conversation as they go on parsing the psychic illnesses of modern man but not without conveying their own personae and experiences in healthy doses along the way. As much as ‘The 3rd Dimension‘ finds the quartet loosening their shoulders and having a good time with thrash metal’s rhythmic acrobatics they’ve managed an album which suits a maturing, above-average neothrash metal act still able to laugh at past selves and manage a profound statement or two when all is said and done. Though I didn’t find myself as drawn to their riffs this time around they’ve done well to hone in on the strengths of their presentation and musicianship for a memorable enough modern thrash metal release.

Hazzerd formed circa 2013 by way of drummer/vocalist Dylan Westendorp and original guitarist Brendan Malycky and from that point the core lineup, which we find on each of their three full-lengths, had generally solidified with the release of ‘Misleading Evil‘ (2017). From then ’til now heir style remains generally centered around the traditional voicing of peak Bay Area thrash metal applying that level of tact and presence to the quick and spastic scramble of post-1999 neothrash, a hint of the NWOTHM’s mishmash of trad. metal and speed metal, and a fair amount of shredding along the way. Their follow-up (‘Delirium‘, 2020) was over the top, came highly recommended, and remains comparable to the fiery rip of Death Angel, the ruthlessness of early Forbidden, and with shades of ‘Rust in Peace‘-era Megadeth keeping things tightly wound. Despite carrying on the neon-lit face and metalpunkish diction of post-millennium thrash the band’s efforts remain song oriented and indulgent in expression rather than relying on iterative rhythms. This continues to be true in approach of ‘The 3rd Dimension‘ as they intend to get straight to the point, have a bit more fun, and aim for intensity that sticks.

Without a second to waste per the first ~fifteen or so minutes of ‘The 3rd Dimension‘ we get four of Hazzerd‘s top shelf pieces up front with “Interdimension” stomping right into its attack in under 30 seconds, picking up the high energy and riff-built tension of ‘Delirium‘ while cinching up their riffcraft to a shorter heavier breakdown assisted kick through. If nothing else it feels like an efficient crowd warmer and eases us into the more technical ‘Being and Nothingness‘-feeling stride of “Scars” and its swinging final third. There is some logic to how these songs build up toward album highlight “Unto Ashes”, the most representative songs here in terms of where classic Bay Area & New York thrash metal peak aggression might feed into this less nuanced, louder snarled neothrash vision. No doubt if you’ve heard it all there’ll be few surprises here in terms of riffs and the level of shredding and rocking soloing taking place but I’d argue that Westendorp‘s vocals continue to be a unique carry for their gig in terms of personae and expression lining up.

The hardest peak for my own taste here, “Deathbringer“, is potentially a belabored argument for Hazzerd still being rooted squarely in their own neothrash adjacent sector, a piece which carries a declarative Bay Area-style vocal cadence but still has that Maiden-stoked roll, power thrashing riffs and a shred-capable flick of the wrist. The result is not necessarily Exmortus, or even Hexen, in the moment but not that far off either as the brief instrumental “TTT” indicates soon after. While I enjoy the way our trip to the middle of the full listen develops the early Friedman-era Megadeth rattle of “Plagueis” b/w “ThArSh TiLl DeTh” with their own rowdiness applied ‘The 3rd Dimension‘ begins to feel unraveled via shorter disconnected pieces on the way through.

“A Fell Omen” is the most confusing addition here as a 9+ minute rocking thrash metal instrumental which kicks off just as the album begins to lose its momentum beyond the first few opening pieces and a single or two. At the point of discovery this was a well-worthy trek to take but upon repeat listens I’d just as well skip through it the same way I’d typically pass on “Suicyco Mania” b/w “Surf n’ Slam” anymore. Though the running order doesn’t make a ton of sense to me I wouldn’t say any of these songs are duds, or lack relevance to the whole of the listening experience, only that some of the focus of the previous album instead turns to creating space between high-tension moments.

Hazzerd have still put on a respectable show here in terms of nowadays thrash metal derived muse, ensuring ‘The 3rd Dimension‘ is memorable for a few key singles and easily approached for its (largely) uncomplicated songcraft and classicist tonality. While this doesn’t lineup all that squarely with what I personally want from thrash metal in 2024 I do think that this is one of the more inspired, respectable bands in this category and this third record feels like one step closer to an even more distinct signature. A moderately high recommendation.

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