I’ve been keeping tabs of Heathen over the past few months, getting teased every week with a new track or new piece of information about their latest album, The Evolution of Chaos. The album finally dropped in the United States yesterday, marking a 6 year time span since their last album, Recovered. Fans have been patiently waiting to hear new material from the Bay Area thrash legends, and the new album does not disappoint – already garnering album of the month awards overseas and recognition from the metal press.

Heathen’s current line-up is David White – vocals, Lee Altus – guitar (Exodus), Kragen Lum – guitar (Prototype, Psychosis), Jon Torres – bass (Laaz Rockit, Angel Witch, WarningSF, Ulysses Siren), and Darren Minter – drums.

Rooted in Thrash, but with flavors of Power Metal, Heathen have soaring metal vocals and, like Lee Altus’ other band Exodus, spend extended lengths of time crunching on metal guitar riffs. Most of you have probably heard the opening tracks on their myspace page – which feature a guest intro by Steve DiGiorgio playing sitar leading into an awesome opening track, Dying Season. The album alternates between epic and classic Thrash, demonstrated in tracks like Arrows of Agony and Fade Away. The average song length is around 6:30, if that is any indication of what the album has to offer, including an 11:10 song titled No Stone Unturned (again featuring a guess bass solo by DiGiorgio).

Like the situation with many Power Metal bands, Heathen’s following is large in Europe and the band already has European tour dates lined-up for May. I wouldn’t be surprised if they swing a few Bay Area shows sometime this year though.

The Evolution of Chaos marks a great return of a great band. Another monster metal album from the Bay Area! Overall score – 89/100.