Something good must be in Poland's water, because top-notch death/grind bands are erupting from there like fluids at a GWAR show. Thankfully, Selfmadegod Records has been instrumental in documenting this, with brutal releases from Antigama, Herman Rarebell, Third Degree, and Daymares, to name but a few.
Toxic Bonkers isn't a new face, having released three full-lengths since its 1993 inception. But if its notoriety has largely remained in Polish circles, Progress should change that. It's a seething stew of death metal, grindcore, crust punk, and thrash that harkens back to masters of such fusions: Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower, Sepultura. The vocal patterns often recall Max Cavalera, with Mitch Harris-esque high screams occasionally searing the mix. Blastbeats run aplenty here, but the band balances them with a wide variety of grooves – two-steps, d-beats, thrash beats, and so on.
At times, the songs blend together – but, hell, Bolt Thrower pretty much writes the same album each outing and sounds no weaker for it. Some small details stand out, like unexpected (and effective) clean singing in "Denial," atmospheric ringing chords in "Manifesto," and slow clean tones in the title track. The mix is clear and heavy, and the execution is spot-on. Progress doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's definitely worth a a few spins.
7/10
