Origin:	San Francisco, CA, USA
Genres:	Thrash Metal

Hatchet

More retro thrash here, from one of the birthplaces of the original movement. Hatchet is Metal Blade's entry into the field, winning the label over after recording a couple of demos in 2006 and 2007 and debuting in 2008 with Awaiting Evil. By now the formula should be familiar to all, the classic influences (Exodus, early Slayer to name two) are on display, and like their many brethren, the guys here race along like it's 1986 all over again. The production is a tad on the thin side, especially where the drums are concerned, though that's a minor quibble and after all, this style doesn't really need overproduction. Retro thrash these days is beyond saturated, so it remains to be seen whether bands like Hatchet have any real staying power (there's no question that the genre itself isn't fading any time soon). Hatchet isn't a frontrunner, but they're capable enough and thus are a fine addition to the new wave of thrash.