Demiricous

2006 is the year of the thrash flashback, with Slayer, Overkill and a reunited Anthrax spreading the shred disease. In the two decades since these bands issued their early works, headbangers, hardcore groups and even hip-hop crews have scavenged their riffs, but influence hasn't translated into effective imitation. However, Demiricous' 2006 debut, One (Hellbound), bears a striking resemblance to Slayer's 1986 standard-setter, Reign in Blood. As proudly derivative as "back-to-the-old-school" rap acts, Demiricous excels at dual-guitar savagery, unrelenting backbeats and malevolent vocals. The Indiana band stands to inherit the thrash throne, given that the genre's pioneers can't play that fast forever.