TOXIK — III Works (review)

Boxset / Compilation · 2018 · Technical Thrash Metal

3.5/5 · 2022-09-09
UMUR

"III Works" is a 3-disc compilation album by US power/thrash metal act Toxik. The compilation was released through No Dust Records in April 2018. It features all material recorded by the band in the 2014-2018 period. Toxik initially existed from 1985-1992 (releasing two full-length studio albums in their original run), reunited shortly and disbanded again in 2007, and then reunited again in 2013.

Disc 1 features the three original tracks from the 2014 "In Humanity Pre-release" demo, but adds three unreleased tracks from the same demo sessions. All tracks were remastered. All material from Disc 1 would be released in 2020 as the "In Humanity" EP. The three original demo tracks and the track "Subverter", are strong material featuring a more heavy sound than the Toxik material from the 1980s, although original vocalist Mike Sanders sing on the material. He still hits the high notes when needed though.

Disc 2 features the six tracks from the 2017 "Breaking Clas$" EP. The material on the "Breaking Clas$" EP features lead vocalist Charles Sabin, as he once again replaced Sanders, just like he did in 1989. Stylistically the material is a heavy type of US power/thrash metal played with great technical skill. The vocals are predominantly delivered in a raw mid-range, but Sabin can still deliver a high pitched scream what that is called for.

Disc 3 features 8 re-recordings of tracks from Toxik´s two 1980s albums "World Circus" (1987) and "Think This" (1989), and two new recordings in "Kinetic Closure" and "No Rest for the Wicked". All material from Dics 3 would in 2020 be released as the "Kinetic Closure" album. New lead vocalist Ron Iglesias has joined and he has a voice and singing style which is relatively similar to both Mike Sanders and Charles Sabin (how they sound on the material on disc 1 and 2 of "III Works", not their incredibly high pitched 80s selves). Both "Kinetic Closure" and "No Rest for the Wicked" are heavy and intriguing US power/thrash metal tracks and perfectly in line with how the band have sounded like since their 2013 return to the scene.

Re-recording classic material with a contemporary lineup will always divide the waters. Some will think of such an action as sacrilege, while others will enjoy listening to the classic tracks in a more updated sound quality and performed by more seasoned musicians. In this case I think the updated versions sound quite different from the originals, and I´m therefore able to enjoy them without constantly being reminded of the original versions of the tracks. I do prefer the originals over these re-recordings, but I´m able to appreciate these new versions too. It should be noted that the re-recordings were recorded live in the studio with very few studio overdubs, which is quite impressive considering the high level of technical playing and the relatively high complexity of the material.

Upon conclusion "III Works" is a good quality compilation album, successfully compiling all the band´s recorded material from the 2014-2018 period, and although Toxik sound a bit different in their reunited version than they did in the 1980s, they are still a force to be reckoned with and "III Works" is well worth a listen. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.