Toxik
World Circus

Album: World Circus
Band: Toxik
Year: 1988

Label: Roadrunner
Genre: Thrash, Techno-Thrash, Progressive

Line-Up:
Mike Sanders ( vocals )
Josh Christian ( guitar )
Brian Bonini ( bass )
Tad Leger ( drums )


Toxik's debut work is something truly incredible from every point of view.

This album perfectly aligns with another masterpiece of the same period, "Energetic Disassembly" by Watchtower, although to my taste World Circus is definitely more enjoyable.

I can't find a single flaw! Perhaps in the not-so-excellent production which has been remedied this year with a remastered version that I recommend you to get.

But what is special about this album? Strength, energy, character, madness, fun...

As the title suggests, we will find ourselves directly catapulted into an amusement park full of oddities and bizarre things...

Sanders' voice will drive you crazy (literally ;) ) or you will deeply hate it: slightly acid, almost farcical but with astonishing power. I am really not a fan of this kind of singing, but I assure you that re-listening to the album will make you sing in the same style (and looking like a fool I would say :) ).

Josh Christian's work on the guitars is fast, intricate with a touch of baroque but with extreme taste (the only guitarist on the album remember it while you listen!). Compositionally there is a great variety going from extremely technical moments to more direct and linear ones, the latter becoming highly enjoyable when you feel tired during listening and will help you catch your breath!

The rhythm section is of great level, both drums and bass offer a circus show, going at times their own way and raising the general technical level.

Speaking of the tracks which I repeat all being beautiful, I'll point out those in my preferences: Voices (beautiful initial guitar riff and the breaks), Door to Hell and World Circus (Sanders' screams in the chorus, oh my god! and with a sound appendix with the classic circus music revisited! a spectacle!) and my absolute favorite False Prophets in which Toxik warns us about power and those who control it (quoting from the lyrics "Deep inside the house of white/ Elected tools decide our plight/ If we live or if we die/ Controlling minds, robbing blind/ Moral crimes/ Beware, false prophets, beware" the chorus "...Beware False prophets Bewaaaarree!" will give you goosebumps).

Despite the years, this album still has a freshness and enjoyability at the highest levels just like the first of Watchtower.

Ultimately, a lot of energy, and even better extremely positive and non-destructive energy, so welcome it!

Listen, people, listen!

Ps: with the release of the remastered versions, Toxik have reunited! Could a new creature come out? Beware.... :)