UMUR
"Think This" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US power/thrash metal act Toxik. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in October 1989. Toxik was founded in 1985 and released two albums before disbanding in 1992. Despite generally good reviews and positive fan reactions, the band never broke through in their homeland, but had a decent following in both Europe and Japan. Since the release of "World Circus" lead vocalist Mike Sanders has been replaced by Charles Sabin and the band have added a second guitarist to the lineup in John Donnelly.
The music on "Think This" is technically well played US power/thrash metal with occasional progressive metal leanings. Actually the weight has shifted a bit more towards progressive metal than the thrash/US power metal sound of the debut album although thrash metal is still the dominant "core" sound. Tracks like "Black and White", "Technical Arrogance", and "Machine Dream" are however full blown progressive metal tracks to my ears and it is sometimes a bit difficult to tag the music correctly because of the combination of stylistic elements. The two former mentioned tracks both feature obvious Voivod references, but acts like late eighties Fates Warning and especially Realm are also valid references.
The shift on the lead vocalist spot has resulted in the band´s sound becoming slightly more accessible in that department, but the music is overall more challenging and varied than the case was on the "World Circus (1987)". What hasn´t changed is the extremely high level of musicianship on the album. These guys are incredibly skilled and pull off playing some very technically challenging sections and make it sound easy in the process. The sound production is powerful, but it is in this department that "Think This" could have been slightly better. I could have done without the cover of "Out on the Tiles" by Led Zeppelin too, but it´s not downright horrible, just a bit unnecessary. "Think This" is still enjoyable as it is though and a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.