Despite the ever increasing '80s reunions, reactivated line-ups and/or reissues, the number that have actually released any NEW music worthy of their back catalog can be counted on one hand, with room to spare. Add Heathen to that short list! OK, so guitarist Lee Altus has been working on this for almost five years now, his time being split with Exodus recordings and tours. More bands, new and old, should take more time to refine their songs/approach, but in the digital age that’s a rarity. Well, this Evolution is worth the wait. Rather than try to keep with the times, or rehash the glory days, Heathen walk that precarious edge of knowing who they are, what fans expect/want and writing original music. This time, it works. Opening with a haunting Middle Eastern rhythm/guitar solo reminiscent of Artillery’s ‘Khomaniak’, jumps right into the bellicose ‘Dying Season’, never forsaking a sense of melody. Speaking of guitars, check out the start of ‘Control By Chaos’, an otherwise chugging riffer. The staccato mid-tempo ‘No Stone Unturned’ sounds like a recently discovered 80s tune missing from Metallica demos for Ride The Lightning, damn shame the lyrics had to come in. Old school? How about a twin Maiden guitar harmonies on ‘Arrows Of Agony’? ‘A Here’s Welcome’ begins with acoustic guitar and military snare, David White (aka David Godfrey) sings in a normal voice, sounding like a completely different vocalist. It’s dedicated to military veterans (living, dead, maimed, psychologically affected) of all countries. Standout cut is the acoustic begun ‘Red Tears Of Disgrace’, slowly boiling into a full guitar workout: solos, interplay, storming, subtlety, this one has it all. The lengthy instrumental sections of a ‘Silent Nothingness’ finale make the aforementioned a lethal 1-2 closing wallop. Recommended.
