Band:	Hazzerd
Album:	The 3rd Dimension
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	January 17, 2025
A review by:	F3ynman

01. Interdimension
02. Scars
03. Unto Ashes
04. Deathbringer
05. TTT
06. Plagueis
07. ThArSh TiLl DeTh
08. Parasitic [feat. Nick Schwartz]
09. A Fell Omen [feat. D. McMartney]
10. Control

The Canadian thrashers are back! Hazzerd, the band led by vocalist, drummer, and main lyricist Dylan "Shoes" Westendorp, are simply on fire, dishing out one sizzling hot thrash banger after another.

Their debut album, 2017's Misleading Evil was my introduction to the band, and, in my opinion, it ranks among the very best of modern thrash metal releases. It even was the first album that I reviewed on Metal Storm. Thus, I've greatly anticipated Hazzerd’s return, five years after their last album Delirium. And now, after having listened to the new album multiple times, I'm happy to say that The 3rd Dimension very much lives up to expectations, proving to be a worthy installment in the band's consistently great discography.

Hazzerd take you on an interdimensional trip through a variety of fictional universes, with the lyrics of some songs clearly referencing pop culture. This actually marks the first time I've ever encountered a metal band that references both Star Wars and Marvel Comics in their lyrics. “Plagueis” is based on Emperor Palpatine's legendary Sith Master who could wield the power to cheat death, and “Unto Ashes” describes the Mad Titan Thanos and his quest for the six Infinity Stones. Even the song “Control” seems to be based on the Dead Space video game, although I'm not as familiar with that franchise to say much about it. Almost even more surprisingly, Hazzerd are able to pull off these lyrical themes without sounding cringe-worthy. Quite the opposite, in fact, as “Plagueis” and “Unto Ashes” are contenders for the title of the best song on the whole album.

Westendorp continues to impress with his simultaneous display of engaging vocal delivery and super-powered drumming, infusing the band with its characteristic energy. The guitarist duo Schadlich and Malycky also provide once again a highly skilled performance of interweaving guitar melodies and blistering riffs. Sadly, this album also marks their last performance together, as Malycky, after recording rhythm guitar on the album, has left the band. His replacement, Nick Schwartz, only contributes a single guitar solo on the album (on the song “Parasitic”), and thus one can’t yet tell whether Schwartz will be able to fill Malycky’s shoes.

The guitar-work on The 3rd Dimension varies from wild, fun, and energetic to melancholic and thoughtful. The wilder side is best demonstrated by the tongue-in-cheek “ThArSh TiLl DeTh” (sic). With riffs reminiscent of Megadeth's "Poison Was The Cure", its lyrics mock those metalheads who claim to be better than everyone else, simply because of their superior choice in music. Lyrics like “Rust In Peace is the greatest album of all time” (Do you feel seen, Metal Storm?) and a fun accompanying music video show that Hazzerd are a band that can create accomplished thrash metal without taking themselves too seriously. On the more melodic side, we have both a brief interlude track “TTT” as well as the penultimate “A Fell Omen”—a whopping 9-minute-long instrumental track, full of melancholic melodies and keyboard playing by guest D. McMartney. The truly exquisite guitar solos are proof that these wild metalheads can create and perform beautiful compositions, too.

In conclusion, Hazzerd are delivering the goods once more with The 3rd Dimension. These Canadians are a truly talented bunch. Their music is fast and fun, as all thrash metal should be, but they also show their capacity to create more melodic musicianship as well. And their lyrics are, as always, entertaining to boot. So, if you want to hear what the best of modern thrash metal has to offer, you've come to the right place: