Toxik

Toxik is an American thrash metal band originally from Peekskill, New York. Initially active from 1985 to 1992, in 2013 it was announced that Toxik would reform again and start work on its third album.

Biography

Initial formation (1985–1987)

Toxik was formed in 1985 by Joshua Christian and Lee Erwin under the name "Toyko". The band was forced to change its name due to the threat of legal action from a band who had already registered the name. The band's original four-piece lineup which, because it occurred before the name change, was known as the Tokyo line up, consisted of Michael Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Lee Erwin (bass) and Sal Dadabo (drums). However, the line up did not remain stable, plaguing the band with line-up changes into the following year. During the same year, the band's original bassist, Lee Erwin, left Toxik citing personal reasons, to be replaced by Brian Bonini. Additionally, Sal Dadabo, the band's original drummer, was offered a touring contract with Twisted Sister and left Toxik to be replaced by Tad Leger. These new changes would become the band's new line-up.

Think This

Think This is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Toxik, released in 1989 by Roadracer Records. The album was re-released by Metal Mind Productions and Displeased Records in 2007. Artwork was designed by Ed Repka.

Reception

In 2005, Think This was ranked number 409 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.

Track listing

All songs written by Josh Christian, except for where noted.

Displeased Records reissue

Tracks 14-17 are from an instrumental demo.

Thrash metal

Thrash metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its fast tempo and overall aggression. The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work. The lyrics often deal with social issues and reproach for The Establishment, using direct and denunciatory language, an approach which partially overlaps with the hardcore genre.

The genre evolved in the early 1980s from combining the fast drum beats and attitude of hardcore punk with the double bass drumming, heavy and complex guitar style of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). It emerged partially as a reaction to the more conventional and widely acceptable glam metal, a less aggressive, pop music-infused heavy metal subgenre which appeared simultaneously. Thrash metal was an inspiration for subsequent extreme genres such as death metal and black metal.

Four American bands, Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer, are credited with pioneering and popularizing the genre. The Clash of the Titans tour (1990–1991), which featured Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax, is considered the genre's pinnacle, after which thrash metal saw a decline in popularity throughout the decade. Thrash metal has seen a resurgence in recent times, with many of the older bands returning to their roots with their new releases. A new generation of thrash metal bands emerged in the early 2000s, drawing lyrical and visual inspiration from the older groups.

World Circus

World Circus is the debut studio album of the thrash metal band Toxik. It was released in 1987 on Roadrunner Records. The album was re-released by Metal Mind Productions and Displeased Records in 2007.

Track listing

All songs written by Josh Christian. (Except * Josh Christian/Lee Erwin)

Displeased Records reissue

Metal Mind reissue

Credits