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HAZZERD
The 3rd Dimension

M-Theory Audio (2025)
Rating: 7/10

I’m ashamed that it has taken me this long to fully latch onto Canadian thrashers Hazzerd, this being the third full-length trip from the Calgary, Alberta-based combo who have been loitering around since 2013.

Let’s cut to the chase here and get the negatives out of the way first. This is pretty generic thrash; the whole look and feel, the spiky vocal snaps, the doses of humour, and the style in which Hazzerd zip along. But on the plus side, this latest release is far tighter than the previous albums which I spent time with just before listening to The 3rd Dimension. Another positive is the energy the combo displays, and while there are no real standouts tracks one does feel that the guys have put out a batch of consistent tracks here, resulting in a fiery thrash metal opus that will no doubt appeal to those who still like to wear pristine hi-top trainers at the foot of those skinny black jeans, customary bullet belt and thrash band t-shirt whose imagery peeps out from behind folded arms.

Musically, Hazzerd drift around the block and knock on the door of just about every legendary thrash act, whether it’s Megadeth, Exodus, Slayer, Razor, Death Angel or the more recent Havok. But behind the obvious influences there are some intriguing subtleties as well as intricacies, particularly on ‘Unto Ashes’ and equally refreshing companion ‘Scars’ where the fret boards work overtime to produce a whirligig of swirls and streaks.

Drummer and vocalist Dylan Westendorp puts in a hell of a shift, battering his skins and snapping violently from the throat to give extra levels of grit and exuberance, especially the melodious ‘Deathbringer’ and the rhythmic sizzle of ‘Plagueis’. But if there’s one track that makes you realise that this is a serious thrash band it’s ‘A Fell Omen’, and boy do those guitars sound delicious. About as sublime as thrash gets, ‘A Fell Omen’ is a gargantuan instrumental which draws you in to its vortex of guitars in similar fashion to Metallica’s classic ‘Orion’. Why Hazzerd chose not to end the album with this is baffling as it’s such a grandiose statement, and when you do reach actual closer ‘Control’ it’s rather underwhelming.

Having said that, The 3rd Dimension remains a very strong and impactful opus let down occasionally by some of the silly lyrics which are rather contrasting to the serious nature of the music. However, the combo just cannot resist aiming a dig at heavy metal posers on the track ‘ThArSh TiLl DeTh’, and it’s tedious humour I can live without, especially the silly music video which accompanies it.

If you look beyond the scant defects then this is an album where you’ll find plenty of ravaging riffs, scintillating solos and relentless aggression that lean towards a Bay Area vibe. Hopefully, this platter will bring the band more recognition because they have spent too long in the thrash wilderness.

Neil Arnold

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