(Advance Copy) Hazzerd - The 3rd Dimension
- Rakkan
- Jan 8
- 5 min read
My admiration for these wicked thrashers from Canada runs deep, and if you need proof, let me tell you about my three-month quest to track down their first album, Misleading Evil, on vinyl. With only 108 copies ever pressed, the odds were stacked against me, but somehow, I managed to snag not one but two copies. I've come across them in 2019, two years after their debut dropped, and now, as we charge into 2025, Hazzerd has been on relentless, heavy rotation for six incredible years.
With the third album scheduled to drop on January 17, thankfully, I didn’t have to wait for another 10 days to give it a listen, as the band offered an advance copy. The wait for the code to be sent by the label company was agonizing. I found myself obsessively refreshing my inbox, hoping to see the magic code land in my hands. It turns out it had been sitting in my spam folder for two excruciating days. Two days. When I finally realized this, I felt a mix of relief and sheer frustration, but nothing could hold me back from diving headfirst into what I’d been waiting for.
When you hold a band in high regard, the stakes are enormous. Expectations skyrocket, and the thought of disappointment is almost unbearable. I’d been eagerly anticipating this album since their mind-blowing sophomore release, Delirium, in 2020, and the pressure couldn’t have been more intense. Would The 3rd Dimension live up to my impossibly high standards, or was I setting myself up for a letdown?
Here’s a noteworthy detail. Hazzerd has a knack for impeccable timing. Delirium was released in January 2020, and now, five years later, The 3rd Dimension also arrives in January, which, as it happens, is the month of my birthday. I owe Hazzerd a huge thanks for giving me not one but two epic birthday presents, spaced just far enough apart to keep me wanting more.
Thinking back to my review of Misleading Evil, I can still feel the electricity of discovering their blend of classic thrash fury and modern ferocity. Their debut was a masterclass in intricate guitar riffs, machine-gun drumming, and vocals that dripped with raw, untamed energy. They honored the thrash trailblazers of the 80s while injecting their own unique fire, crafting a sound that was both nostalgic and thrillingly fresh. It was a wake-up call to anyone who thought thrash metal was done evolving.
With The 3rd Dimension, the stakes were even higher. I was ready to see how far Hazzerd had pushed their sound since those early days. Would they stick to their thrash roots, or would they veer into new, uncharted territory? The anticipation was palpable, the hype was undeniable, and I was finally ready to dive in and find out.
The 10-track album kicks off with Interdimension, and in case you’ve forgotten what Hazzerd is all about, it takes mere seconds for them to remind you. They launch into a relentless barrage of rapid-fire riffs and ferocious rhythms that immediately showcase their technical skill and uninhibited passion for the genre. Clocking in at 3:35, the track delivers a standout moment where the vocals drop out at 1:20, leaving over two minutes of pure, untamed guitar fury. The savage, razor-sharp riffing is matched only by Dylan’s precision drumming, which sets the perfect stage for the onslaught, while the bass fills the space with richness and weight.
Moving on to the second track, Scars, Hazzerd demonstrates their knack for keeping listeners hooked from start to finish. The band has an almost instinctive ability to pull you in right from the opening riff, but what makes them truly stand out is how their songs continuously evolve, rewarding patience with layers of fresh intensity. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, the track shifts gears, getting even better as it progresses. And then there’s the way they end their songs, flawlessly. Scars builds into a final act of hair-raising harmonies, delivering a climax so perfectly executed it feels both inevitable and exhilarating.
You know that famous Mike Tyson quote, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” Well, everyone thinks they know what to expect from a thrash metal album until Hazzerd comes swinging with a triple punch combo of Interdimension, Scars, and the third track, Unto Ashes. Unto Ashes delivers yet another reckless ensemble of riffs and blistering drumming, starting at a slower tempo and building into something truly spectacular. By the time the song reaches its end, the band flips the script and goes on teasing the listener with a vulgar display of cocky, effortless guitar work. The real surprise is that you don’t feel insulted or get the vibe that they’re showing off. You actually love it. Hazzerd delivers the kind of thrash that leaves you grinning ear to ear, amazed at how they keep making it look so easy while sounding so damn good.
Deathbringer, the fourth track on the album and the first single released back in October 2024, is a catchy, melodic song with a soulful and beautifully crafted solo. TTT is the fifth track and serves as a brief but memorable interlude, reminiscent of 1988-1990 Testament instrumental pieces. Its purpose is clear, providing the listener with a breather after four blistering, high-energy tracks, giving just enough space to reset before diving back into the relentless speed and aggression. The respite is short-lived as Plagueis, the sixth track, wastes no time reigniting the chaos with its aggression, keeping the momentum of the album alive and kicking.
ThArSh TiLl DeTh, the second single from the album, was released in December. It’s a silly, goofy track that leans into self-deprecating nostalgia, humorously portraying and poking fun at young thrash metal fans, perhaps even a younger version of the band themselves. Listening to it, I can totally see myself as that young kid when I was a teenager discovering metal for the first time. When I initially heard the track, I had mixed feelings. I thought to myself, why waste a spot on the album with something so playful when I wanted nothing but pure thrash anger from start to finish? However, after listening to the album as a whole, I’ve come to appreciate its lighthearted self-reflection. It shifts the mood, adds character, and breaks up the potential monotony, giving the record a distinct dynamic element that makes it more memorable.
The album closes with two solid tracks, Parasitic and Control. After the first listen, they come across as strong and well-executed, but nothing about them really stands out compared to how the album began or the bangers nestled in between. Sandwiched between these two tracks is the nine-minute instrumental A Fell Omen. It’s an impressive showcase of their talent and mastery of the genre, and having a long instrumental piece in every album has become a staple of their discography, appearing on every previous album. It’s undeniably well-played and technically brilliant track.
This album feels like reconnecting with an old childhood friend who was always grounded and easy to like. He’s traveled the world, gained experience, and grown in countless ways, yet somehow, he’s still the same person you remember, with all the warmth and authenticity intact. That’s exactly what Hazzerd has done here. Despite their evolution, tighter songwriting, and improved production, they’ve stayed true to their core essence, delivering the same thrash metal spirit that made them so compelling in the first place. I’m glad to see them balance growth and authenticity so seamlessly. This record is a phenomenal testament to that. My next challenge, after enjoying this album digitally, is deciding if my next listen will be on vinyl or cassette. Both of which I’m lucky to own.
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