What can be said of DEW-SCENTED that hasn't already been shouted with joy from the rooftops? All the critic-blurb clichés immediately spring to mind - bloodthirsty, brutal, savage, unrelenting - and they're all true. These psychopathic Germans have been cranking out steroid-fueled Thrash at its bombastic heaviest since the late '90s, and in the last decade have proven an indispensable weapon in the battle to keep the style on the cutting edge, passing trends be damned.

For any seasoned Metalhead, the mere mention of the name DEW-SCENTED conjures up two specific promises: an album title beginning with the letter "I" and an onslaught of "Reign In Blood" level Thrash that rides a knife's edge between old-school nostalgia and modern relevance. Thick and catchy SLAYER-inspired riffs, ferocious snares and double-kick, and shredded-throat vocals are all part of the package. And the group's latest effort "Invocation", their eighth studio album, delivers on both promises.

That's not to say DEW-SCENTED never have any surprises up their sleeve, however. "Invocation" defies expectations with a haunting melodic prelude in the vein of METALLICA's "Battery". Like a silent killer lurking behind the door or the deathly still calm in the air before a storm strikes, "Downfall" gently eases the listener into the sound and metallic fury. Likewise, the melodic midway interlude "Totem" serves as the proverbial eye of the storm, the brief respite from the pummeling walls of chaos that will inevitably close in. As for the surrounding storm, it contains many gems more than worthy of DEW-SCENTED's back catalogue. Tracks such as "The Invocation", "Have No Mercy On Us", and "Torn To Shreds" showcase the band's trademark hyper-driven speed rhythms, but the band refuse to be satisfied with the usual "Angel Of Death" homages. "Arise From Decay" boasts an introductory riff that echoes of a Hitler-esque militaristic march before unleashing hell. "Artificial Life" is a freight train careening down a mountainside with no brakes and will surely result in a few head-shaped holes in the ceiling. And "A Critical Mass" fakes the listener out with some playful, almost radio-friendly plucking and grooves before launching into vintage Thrash mode. Admittedly, in the grand scheme of things, the surprises are rather slight - this is hardly a "Black Album" departure for DEW-SCENTED - but nevertheless welcome.

Indeed, after three years and some major lineup changes, it's a wonder (and a relief) at how consistent this band's sound has remained with "Invocation". True, they're not exactly breaking any unexplored ground, and the material doesn't quite stand out enough to cross into Thrashterpiece territory, but that's not what DEW-SCENTED are aiming for. They're aiming for your head, with clear orders: shoot to kill. And "Invocation" carries out those orders with ruthless, cold-blooded efficiency.