Paradox – Riot Squad

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Essentially more of the same mix of technical thrash and traditional heavy metal from Germans Paradox, albeit thrashier than most of previous album Electrify and closer to 2003 comeback album Collision Course. Some moments are a little formulaic, but every song shifts between riffs, fills and bridges almost constantly, and always with the highest calibre of playing. The double soloing over a jagged rhythm in the middle of Dream Hero, followed by a more traditional solo is a superb piece of heavy metal, while there are hints of classic early ’90s Megadeth in the tech-thrash of Planet Terror, Hollow Peace and Riptide. The whole album is non-stop shred riffs, but not all at the same speed, providing more than enough variation to keep the songs interesting. Lyrically they are perhaps a little weak, but not as clichéd as some, and the vocal melodies are perfect for the ultra-heavy sound. Ground-breaking it may not be, but Riot Squad is probably Paradox’s best effort to date, and one of the best thrash albums of 2009, along with Sanctify The Darkness, Hordes of Chaos and Insurrection Rising.

Written by Andy Lye
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