OUTCAST - FIRST CALL / LAST WARNING - MANITOU/THUNDERING
Here is an album worthy of the 'thundering' adjective. This particular Outcast is a new name to this metal lover, but rest assured that the young bad has its chops down and dirty. Half Bay Area thrash metal and half techno-thrash, the French quintet amazes the fan by mixing a diverse array of riffs and melodies to deliver a surprising number of terrific parts. There are some hardcore leanings here, especially with vocalist Wilfried Fagnon yelling, and simpler interludes, but these are surrounded by stimulating thrash and embellished by magnificent guitar solos. In fact, the proficient and smooth guitar leads are one of Outcast's main advantages. There are a couple of slow songs and sampled bits and the aforementioned hardcore leanings, yet Outcast is an exciting new entry in the metal sweepstakes. The band is aggressive enough to prove it means business, fast enough to drive right through your front door and musical enough to stake a place in your cranium. - Ali "The Metallian"