Lazarus A.D.

Lazarus A.D. are not just another new-school thrash band. The Kenosha, Wisc., quartet evoke the '80s skate-punk-meets-heavy-metal phenomena, but their debut definitely belongs in 2009. They kept the important thrash ingredients -- punk speed, ripping solos, chugging verses and bad-ass breakdowns -- while making it their own by incorporating modern metal structure and pacing. The pummeling "Last Breath" demonstrates their thrash fealty, the slow-burning "Absolute Power" shows their forward thinking, and juggernauts like "Forged in Blood" combine both ideas.