Born in the sewers of Richmond, Virginia during 2000, with the aim of spreading the shred, Municipal Waste played their first gig at a Richmond New Year's Eve Keg party in 2000/2001. Blamed for inciting a small riot, Brendan Trache, Andy Harris, Tony Foresta and Ryan Waste went down a storm. As a result, the four swiftly started touring in small clubs; their blazing fast, raw thrash drew from the tradition of D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, 'Animosity'-era Corrosion Of Conformity, Nuclear Assault and Attitude Adjustment. The band soon released two split records - one 7" with Bad Acid Trip, the other being a 12" with Crucial Unit; they also had tracks on a number of compilations. A line-up change happened in '02 when Brendan Trache left, being replaced by Brandon Ferrell in time for the 'Tango And Thrash' split record (whose songs were all based on Kurt Russell films), before Municipal Waste released their debut album, 'Waste 'Em All', on 6 Weeks Records. Fast, furious and funny, each of Municipal Waste's super-short songs are anthems to post-apocalyptic mutants, beer, thrash music...or, indeed, all of the above. The band's dedication to their art is deadly serious, yet they are not afraid to bring the fun back into hardcore. Following 'Waste 'Em All, both Andy and Brandon left, being replaced by drummer Dave Witte (formerly with Melt Banana) and bassist Land Phil. In 2005 Municipal Waste signed to Earache Records and released the 'Hazardous Mutation' album.

HAZARDOUS MUTATION (2005) EARACHE

  1. Intro/Deathripper
  2. Unleash The Bastard
  3. The Thing
  4. Blood Drive
  5. Accelerated Vision
  6. Guilty Of Being Tight
  7. The Thrashin' Of Christ
  8. Hazardous Mutation
  9. Nailed Casket
  10. Black Ice
  11. Mind Eraser
  12. Terror Shark
  13. Set To Destruction
  14. Bangover

Line-up:

Land Phil: Bass, Vocals
Dave Witte: Drums
Ryan Waste: Guitar, Vocals
Tony Foresta: Vocals

Anthrax on steroids? No it's Richmond, Virginia's Municipal Waste! These guys have almost single handedly resurrected an almost dying form of metal, namely the crossover/thrash/hardcore mash. This is the kind of music the mosh-pits were made for! If you remember bands like S.O.D., D.R.I. and Nuclear Assault, you'll know that we are talking about ultra-fast thrash metal with a serious overdose of punk blended in. There are no-guitar-solos here, but we get constantly bombarded with lethal riffs and slamming beats, all packed with a crystal clear production. And that might be the only factor that lets you know that 'Hazardous Mutation' was recorded in 2005, and not 1988, when this kind of music was at it's peak. Singer Tony Foresta delivers his lines in a punk manner, shouting out the lyrics as there was no tomorrow. Another major thing Municipal Waste has going for them are the typical lyrical approach. Much like their predecessors in bands like D.R.I., M.O.D. and all of the other 3-letter acronymic bands, these guys don't take themselves too seriously. Thus the lyrics are mostly about partying, thrashing, horror-movies or all of the above! But we do get the occasional political comment, or kick-in-the-face, if you will. And just to ensue that every aspect of their crossover legacy is intact, you also get an album cover penned by none other than Ed Repka (Megadeth, Merciless Death, Uncle Slam etc.). Yeas, this all points towards 'Hazardous Mutation' being a true crossover thrash metal classic. And who am I to disagree? I'll have my head banging and fists flying in the air every time I'll listen to this CD!

Killer tracks: Deathripper, The Thing, Blood Drive, Hazardous Mutation, Mind Eraser, Terror Shark, Bangover