After a massive breakdown that essentially saw the entire line-up of the band be re-tooled, A Perfect Murder have returned, complete with many new members in the fray. Perhaps most worthy of note is the addition of ex-Skard vocalist Kevin Randel, whose contributions have greatly reshaped the new, or is that old, sound of the band.

Ultimately, "Strength Through Vengeance" amounts to a near note for note take on Pantera, the thrash of older Metallica and a beefy injection of modern metalcore punch. Balls out, gritty and to the point, the group avoid the entanglements of Southern sludge technical finesse and instead throw haymaker after haymaker.

This in turn makes for an overpowering album, that while ruthlessly aggressive and played with talent and conviction, still feels like a Pantera-tribute band more than anything else. Mistaking the vocals of frontman Kevin Randel for that of Phil Anselmo is nearly inescapable and this distinct lack of own identity is a dangerous undertaking for any band. In fact, this problem is only further compounded by some rather cringe-worthy flat attempts at high notes.

Will fans of the sludgy thrash Pantera made famous find something to chew on here? Of course, even with the unavoidable comparisons A Perfect Murder still deliver enough savagery to willfully concuss an audience. But for all their brutality and chugging riff-driven ferocity, blatantly rehashing the works of the greats, even with a modern update, will only take them so far.