Formed in 1994 in San Francisco, Imagika has been waving the thrash banner. Congratulation guys, because playing thrash in 1994 is like playing grunge today. The band still plays in the founding line up (!), which shows the attitude of the band well. The self-titled debut album was released by the guys themselves and built a solid base for Imagika in the metal scene. With the '98 album Worship (excellent), a worldwide management with Flying Dolphin Promotions lead by Grave Digger singer Chris Boltendahl was signed. This built the basement for the band to join Grave Digger and Iron Savior on their European tour in 1999.

This new album (produced by Grave Digger guitarist Uwe Lulis) includes heavy and fast thrash grenades which are perfectly combined with melodic and Bay Area typical thrash metal riffs. Compare to their previous work, this one is even more melodic and much faster. Some tempo will knock in your brain and I can say that on some guitar parts, it reminds me Grave Digger's The Reaper. Fast and heavy, fast and very thrashy (5th song Atrocity is a must). A small bad point remains however : the production could have been much better. The sound seems totally trapped and doesn't really explode.

Imagika, fighting hard in the thrash division since 1994, seems to find slowly but surely the end of the tunnel. The light is here and the accession to the first metal division is just a matter of time now (next album ?). All the best guys and thank you for this "excellent thrash" CD. Don't miss this one !