German thrashers HOLY MOSES, led by charismatic frontwoman Sabina Classen, has been an underground metal institution since the band’s 1980 inception. With 1989’s The New Machine Of Liechtenstein considered to be the band’s pinnacle album, Redefined Mayhem, the band’s 12th full-length release is a “back to its roots” effort, and a fitting title. Holy Moses 2014 redefines a new chapter in the band’s 30-plus year career and they are out to prove that they can still blaze a fiery trail within the thrash genre. Classen’s trademark raspy barks are still intact, but there’s a renewed vigor within the band’s musical attack. The newly found exuberance can be attributed to the youngsters in the band — bassist Thomas Neitsch and guitarist Peter Geltat — who were born the same year the band was formed. Recorded at Classen and Neitsch’s own studio, with the latter also producing, the comfortable recording environment led to a well-executed album. Every track on the disc’s 13 has a catchy hook embedded in it, yet the band also knows how to pummel the listener at the same time. Whether it’s the twin harmonized guitar leads reminiscent of ARCH ENEMY or the ACCEPT-like unison gang chants on the choruses, Holy Moses creates some memorable thrash/melodic death metal anthems. The quartet sounds precise, confident and volatile. The technicality of the riffs and the precision-like delivery of the rhythms harkens back to the band’s glory days.