The thrash metal band Hirax was formed in California in 1984 by vocalist Katon W. DePena, bassist Gary Monardo, guitarist Bob Savage and drummer Brian Keith. But since there was no scene for this kind of music in California, they spent most of the time doing gigs in the Bay Area. Following an early demo, one of their tracks ended up on the 'Metal Massacre VI' compilation. DePena quit the band in 1986, after releasing one full-length album, and an EP. Soon he formed another band, called Phantasm (together with Ron McGovney of Metallica fame). The remains of Hirax continued to rehearsed with former Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff for a while, until he left to form Piranha. Hirax soon folded. In late 1987 the band reformed with the original line-up, and the following year a three track demo was recorded. Tracks from this demo later on ended up on the 'Blasted In Bangkok' single. A final reunion took place in the year 1999. Eventually only DePena remained from the original band. Tom G.Warrior (Hellhammer, ex-Celtic Frost) designed the band logo.

NOT DEAD YET (1985, 1986, 1987/2005) THRASH CORNER RECORDS

'Not Dead Yet' was originally released in 1987. It is a compilation album, or a split album if you will, containing the band's first 2 albums, 'Raging Violence' (1985) and 'Hate, Fear And Power' (1986). The original album featured the same Pushead art as on the debut album, only with 'Raging Violence' taken away, and 'Not Dead Yet' added underneath the band logo. The album was reissued in 2005 via Thrash Corner Records, again with the logos and titles altered on the front cover.

Hirax was a very unique sounding band from the start. The basis is ferocious and speedy, punk-infused thrash metal. But Katon's soaring voice adds another dimension to this bands thrash. It's hard to describe, but he sounds sort of like a speed metal singer doing crossover thrash metal! The songs go from fast to faster, and the intensity is never eased up. At a time when most contemporary Bay Area thrash acts opted for more melody and progressive touches, Hirax just kept on thrashing! 'Not Dead Yet' features all the songs from the bands first 2 albums. But there is no telling where the first album ends, and the second one begins. The songwriting and the production is so much the same, it is almost as though these 22 songs were recorded simultaneously.

Lyrically Hirax was a little bit different than most of their contemporaries. While they never strived to come across as the opposite of the Satanic flirtations from bands like Slayer and Destruction, Hirax still leaned more towards anti-Satanism more than anti-Christianity. Still, most of the songs touched on other subjects, such as war, death and the typical thrash metal brutality.

'Raging Violence' is a stunning debut. The music is so fast the members are having a hard time playing along to their own songs! The production is sub par by today's standards, but I still say it's fine! Thrash metal was never about having pristine sound. It should be raw and live like. 'Hate, Fear And Power' doesn't stand much back compared to it's predecessor, if at all. It's the same out-of-control thrash metal, with Katon's unique vocals hovering on top.

Hirax never did get the kind of success during their first stint. They were still quite influential, and are one of the many unsung heroes of the underground. 'Not Dead Yet' is bringing the band's beginnings to new fans of thrash. The 2005 reissue also contains a live video clip of "Demons Evil Forces' as a bonus.

Killer tracks: Demons Evil Forces, Guardian Protector, Bombs Of Death, Raging Violence, Warlords Command, Hate, Fear And Power, Blind Faith, Criminal Punishment

BARRAGE OF NOISE (2001) DEEP SIX RECORDS

'Barrage Of Noise' was the first EP released following the reformation of Hirax in 1999. It was released as a 10" vinyl EP, as well as on CD.

'Barrage Of Noise' shows a hungry band, wearing their influences on their sleeves. And those in the know wouldn't expect any less from Katon W.DePena, and whatever crew that is backing him at any given time. This is basically aggressive thrash metal, with heavy doses of hardcore punk thrown in. 'Barrage Of Noise' manages to take this ultra-fast paced slammin' music, and make it variable and interesting. Katon's shouted vocals is delivered with total conviction, and with cohunes as big as water melons! Hirax have one foot in many sub-genres, and manage to boil it down to something that is their own, something that works! They are one of the most believable bands out there, working their tale off to represent a true metal lifestyle, and delivering both on album, and on stage. Do yourself a favor, and check out Hirax, if you call yourself a thrash metalhead.

Killer tracks: Murder One, Walk With Death, Broken Neck, Mouth Sewn Shut

THE NEW AGE OF TERROR (2004) DEEP SIX RECORDS/BLACK DEVIL RECORDS

In the mood for some crushing thrash metal? Are you in hunger for an all out thrash metal frenzy? Well, look no further!

Katon DePena is back with his second effort since the reunion in 2001. And together with veteran Glenn Rogers (ex-Deliverance, Steel Vengeance), and a bunch of other metal warriors, they deliver what might be the strongest album in the bands career. 'The New Age Of Terror' is a showcase in brutal American thrash metal, so far removed from anything even slightly commercial. Imagine if your calendar still said 1987, and the co-songwriter for cult favorites Vengeance Rising had joined the most fierce bay area thrash metal act imaginable. Because that is just what this is. Glenn Rogers wrote many of the songs for the band Vengeance Rising's debut, and you can even hear the intro notes to "White Throne" in the instrumental track, "Massacre Of The Innocent". But what really sets this band apart is Katon's approach to singing. He is screaming every vocal note like his life was depending on it. But he is certainly not a screamo/metalcore singer nonetheless. He has lots of charisma and he is the main reason the band sounds so unique. 'The New Age Of Terror' delivers 11 tracks of furious speed and thrash metal. And in 2004 they were pretty much alone on the top of the underground thrash metal ladder.

"El Diablo Negro" is a re-recorded version of an older song.

Killer tracks: Kill Switch, The New Age Of Terror, Hell On Earth, Suffer, El Diablo Negro, Unleash The Dogs Of War (Open The Gates)

I was lucky enough to get to meet the band after their gig on the Metal Merchants Festival in Oslo on January 31. 2009. Had the entire band sign my CD cover. Thanks for the great concert, Katon, Glenn, Steve, Jorge and Lance! Here are some crappy pictures my wife took with my cell phone.

ASSASSINS OF WAR (EP) (2007) EBM RECORDS/BLACK DEVIL RECORDS

After the release of 'The New Age Of Terror' there were some line-up changes in the band. 3 members were replaces, so only Katon and Glenn remained in the ranks for this EP. 'Assassins Of War" was recorded to break in the new line-up in 2006, and released in early  2007.

This EP features 5 brand new songs, all exclusive for this release (not counting compilations). Katon and Glenn continue to write relentless, old school thrash metal that will punch you in the gut! The title track is super catchy, and should become a concert favorite! Fact is, there is not a weak track here, and it is a testament to these guys productivity that they can afford to release such strong songs outside of their ordinary albums! 'Assassins Of War' will get as much playtime as Hirax's regular albums.

EL ROSTRO DE LA MUERTE (2009) THRASH CORNER RECORDS

YES! The mighty Hirax is back! Several line-up changes, singles released and 5 years since their last full-length album, they return with yet another thrash metal masterpiece. 'El Rostro De La Muerte' may seem like yet another stone in the thrash metal revival wall. But the fact is that Hirax is a legendary band showing all the newbies how it's really done!

I almost don't believe how strong this album is. Katon & company set the bar high when the opening "Baptized By Blood" kicks in (your teeth)! Then they continue to raise it with every song on the album! The neck breaking speed is rarely slowed down, the guitars keep spewing out riff after riff, whilst Katon's raspy yell fills the air with manic frustration. I'm also always impressed with Jorge's tight drum patterns. Still, it doesn't matter how good a band plays if the songs aren't memorable. By now you must have figured out that they all are on 'El Rostro De La Muerte'. When I saw that this CD held 14 tracks, I thought to myself that it would be a little tiresome to get through it all. After all, this bands brand of frenetic thrash isn't always versatile enough to keep it interesting for close to an hour. I'm glad my cynical expectations were blown to pieces. Each song has it's own characteristic, and you'll find yourself barking along to the choruses on songs like "Baptized By Fire", "Chaos And Brutality" and the fantastic title track.

Hirax has released a bunch of EP's and split singles since their last full length album. "Chaos And Brutality" and "Satan's Fall" are 2 songs previously available on select singles. "Blind Faith" and "Broken Neck" are older songs that have been re-recorded for 'El Rostro De La Muerte'. The new versions are beefed up to 10 times the intensity here. With cover art by legendary Ed Repka (Megadeth, Municipal Waste etc.), I find 'El Rostro De La Muerte' not only to be the bands finest effort, it is also the thrash metal album of the year for me!

Killer tracks: All of them!

NOISE CHAOS WAR (2010) THRASH CORNER RECORDS

'Noise Chaos War' is a compilation album, featuring the 3 Hirax EP's released after the bands reformation in 1999, as well as a video clip of "Bombs of Death". The 3 EP's featured are 'Barrage Of Noise' (2000), 'Chaos And Brutality' (2007) and 'Assassins Of War' (2007). All the original cover artwork is featured in the fold-out booklet, as well as a brand new cover, done by the same artist who did the 'Chaos And Brutality' art.

If you already own the original EP released, this compilation is rather pointless. The fact that they didn't even put the EP's in chronological order is somewhat annoying, making the "Lucifer's Inferno (Reprise)" instrumental appear before the actual "Lucifer's Inferno" song. And the video clip, filmed in Japan in 2009 is not reason enough to buy the entire CD. But if you still haven't picked up any, or all, of the Hirax EP's, then this might be a good enough substitute. After all, Hirax delivers some of the best thrash metal, this side of the millennium! And these EP's feature many songs not on the band's regular albums.

Glenn Rogers guest appearances:  

Tributes - 'Temporary Insanity - A Salute To Deliverance'

Related artists:

Vengeance Rising, Deliverance, Once Dead, Reverend, Exodus, Heathen