With Pantera currently on a temporary hiatus it seems as though side projects are the order of the day for band frontman Phil Anselmo. Despite having already released an album with one of his other long-time running projects Down earlier this year, he's now back in stores once again, this time spearheading Superjoint Ritual's long awaited full-length debut. Originally recorded two years ago, "Use Once And Destroy" is an album that is not surprisingly reminiscent to that of some of Pantera's older material except with a more gritty, thrash metal edge that is loaded with punk like energy and rawer song structures.

Anselmo's powerfully gruff voice is steeped within aggression on the bulk of this offering, suiting the bands style to a tee as fierce screams and barks electrify the tracks and make way for occasional lapses into spoken word pieces and some sludgy drawn out screams. The guitar riffs are loose and heavy, capturing a real balls out metal approach that brings to mind the kind of groove laden carefree riffing and staccato based structures that used to take precedence prior to the rise of 7 strings and shameless drop tuning. The bass playing is jacked up a notch too and bolsters the guitar with rumbling grooves that strengthen the more chugging moments while imbuing them with an almost punk styled energy at others. A stiff drumming performance is offered up to complete the bands sound, full of destructive double kick based outbursts and dulled snare hit beatings that broaden their percussive reach through a wealth of crisp cymbal and hi-hat work.

When looking at the varied roster of acts that Anselmo involves himself with, it's not hard to fathom that Superjoint Ritual are perhaps the band that will appeal the most to fans of Pantera. The gritty heaviness of Anselmo's guitar playing and his trademark vocal work translates well in this slightly less precise musical environment and the bands overall ability to consistently barrel forth at a reckless pace really gives the songs an invigorating edge. But even though a familiar cast of characters such as members of Eyehategod and more are involved in the group, it should be made clear that there's no overbearing bluesy stoner rock influence permeating this effort like there is in Down. Instead what's served up here is an amalgamation of good old American thrash metal, punk reminiscent determination and the occasional sludgy breakdown. Sure the production of the album is a bit rough and the songs aren't necessarily offering up anything groundbreaking, but its hard to beat Anselmo executing metal that possesses this kind of primal viciousness. In fact its almost as though the lack of pressure and expectations placed upon him with this band have allowed him to finally have some fun and it shows. With this being the case one can only hope that Superjoint Ritual will remain a priority of his to continue to develop in the future as its great to see him returning to his roots and creating some solid gritty metal that feels honest and has the freedom to go into sonic territory that his other bands do not.