MERENDINE ATOMICHE, Walk Across Fire (2003, Deadsun)

The skull:
Walk across fire or float across an exploding taffy factory. Same difference.

The music:
This band’s name basically means “Atomic Snacks,” which makes me think they should tour with Acid Drinkers and Spider Kickers. It would go musically, too, as these Italians play thrash. And, like the Kickers and the Drinkers, it’s not great thrash, but it is thrash. Totally sounds like an early ‘90s Brit-thrash band: standard-issue riffs, dry recording, half the energy of the early Metallica albums they’re inspired by and none of the songwriting acumen. At best, it’s like Annihilator’s worst.
— Friar Wagner