New wave thrash metal spearheads refine their raw power. Although the thrash scene has come back into vogue, only a few acts stay true to its essence, performing the style out of sincere passion. With their fourth effort, Massive Aggressive, Richmond, Virginia's Municipal Waste proves it is once again at the forefront of the good side of the movement. While the band lives and breathes thrash, the Waste also knows how crucial aspects of punk and hardcore are to the mix. The quartet has finally stabilized and balanced all three of these extreme sub-categories, creating an effort so powerful it instantly overshadows their already formidable past. Where previous albums maintained an expedient pace coupled with lyrical hilarity, Massive Aggressive ventures into darker territory yet still embraces its formative elements: parties, horror flicks and general trouble-making.