They’re back and dirtier than ever.

Onslaught’s Origins of Aggression is a masterclass in thrash metal nostalgia and ferocity – a two-disc offering that digs into the heart of the band’s legacy and musical influences. Released in celebration of the 40th anniversary of their 1985 debut Power From Hell, this release is less a victory lap and more of a thunderous war cry reaffirming the band’s status as one of British metal’s enduring forces.

The first half features ten re-recorded versions of classic Onslaught tracks originally unleashed between 1982 and 1989. These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades with modern production—they are sharpened, muscled-up renditions that recapture the raw, violent energy of the originals while adding a new layer of intensity. “Thermonuclear Devastation of the Planet Earth” opens things with scorched-earth fury, its apocalyptic riffs delivered with airtight precision. “Black Horse of Famine” and “Angels of Death” maintain the band’s gritty, blackened thrash edge but benefit from a refined low end and Garnett’s snarling vocal delivery.

Fan-favorites like “Power From Hell” and “Metal Forces” explode with a clarity and weight that the early recordings never had the means to deliver. The guitar tones are more jagged and feral, the drums punchier, and the pace rarely lets up. “Let There Be Death” continues the assault with unrelenting aggression, while “Fight With the Beast” and “Thrash Till the Death” are battle cries that showcase Onslaught’s old-school ethos infused with modern sonic muscle. “In Search of Sanity,” originally from their more melodic, controversial 1989 album, gets a gritty refresh that aligns it more closely with their heavier material, and “Shellshock” closes the set like a steel-plated hammer to the chest.

The album’s second half is a wild, genre-spanning tribute to Onslaught’s roots and inspirations as they barrel through twelve cover songs with thrash-soaked reinterpretations. Their version of Motörhead’s “Iron Fist” bristles with reverence and edge while Dead Kennedys’ “Holiday in Cambodia” is transformed into a sonic riot that loses none of its punk sneer. “A Look at Tomorrow,” “State Violence State Control,” and “Drunk With Power” are blistering Discharge tributes performed with the same venomous urgency that informed Onslaught’s early crossover roots.

The inclusion of Judas Priest’s “Freewheel Burning” is a nod to NWOBHM glory delivered at breakneck speed and with feral precision. Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” is perhaps the most unexpected inclusion —drawn out, weighty and reverential, it contrasts with the otherwise hypercharged tracklist. It shows the band’s ability to restrain the tempo without dulling the impact. Other punk staples like The Exploited’s “UK 82,” Killing Joke’s “Wardance,” and the Sex Pistols’ “Holidays in the Sun” are given a thrash metal facelift, maintaining their rebellious bite while charging them with a fresh surge of electricity.

Origins of Aggression is both a brutal celebration and a carefully constructed retrospective. More than just a collection of redone classics and faithful covers, the album is a powerful reassertion of identity. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this release is a must-listen from a band still firing on all cylinders four decades deep.