REASON

"Reason" is the second full-length studio album by US, Missouri based thrash metal act Anacrusis. The album was released through Active Records in February 1990. It´s the successor to "Suffering Hour" from 1988, but since Anacrusis only had a one-album deal with Axis Records, they recorded the "Quick to Doubt" demo in 1989 and used it to shop for a new label. Seven out of the eight tracks from the demo was re-recorded and included on "Reason" (all eight tracks if you have the European version featuring "Killing My Mind" and "Injustice" as bonus material).

Stylistically Anacrusis have developed a lot since "Suffering Hour", which featured a raw and aggressive thrash metal style with technical thrash metal leanings. "Reason" is still a thrash metal album, but in addition to the technical playing (which has increased) the album also features quite a few progressive songwriting ideas making this a technical/progressive thrash metal release. It´s artists like contemporary Coroner, Realm, and Mekong Delta I´m reminded of while listening to "Reason", but a much more resent band like Vektor must also have worshipped Anacrusis in their youth.

The vocals switch between raw snarling thrash vocals and some mellow atmospheric clean vocals, which unfortunately aren´t produced that well. The sound production is otherwise pretty decent for the time (the clean/acoustic guitar parts could also have benefitted from better production choices though). Upon conclusion Anacrusis took at bit step towards a more technical/progressive metal style on "Reason" and while they certainly didn´t leave behind their raw and aggressive thrash metal vocals, speed, and riffs, "Reason" is generally a much more sophisticated release than "Suffering Hour". A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).