Joel Grind is Toxic Holocaust, a one-man metal militia that unabashedly indulges every single thrash cliche, from the speed-shred of '80s standards like Slayer and Motörhead to lyrics almost exclusively about annihilation, nuclear or otherwise.
However, Grind's throwback is most potent in its style: he and the shredders-for-hire who back him up live sort of look like Buscemi, Sandler, and Fraser in Airheads.
Rest assured, if there's one thing radioactive-obsessed bandanna-and-studded-leather-jackets thrash dudes love, it's throwing a totally righteous party.
Toxic Holocaust come from a post-Lemmy school of apocalyptic revelry that used the impending obliteration of mankind as inspiration for decadent catharsis by way of heavy boozing and slam dancing. 80s thrash was self-serious in imagery. But "Crossover" - the newly minted hardcore and speed-metal fusion perfected by the aforementioned Lemmy (in Motorhead) and by circle-pit enthusiasts, D.R.I. - still raged with the party stamina of both punks and metalheads. How else were they going to blow off all that Reagan-era steam? Iran-Contra! AIDS! The space shuttle Challenger! All that stuff would make you want to mosh hard, too.
In this sense, Toxic Holocaust provide a historical reenactment ideal for party animals that just can't get over Anthrax's Among the Living LP.
Toxic Holocaust, Krum Bums, and Holy Grail with The Panix, Atomik, and Dr. Fukk. Wednesday, August 10. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $10 via idlehands305.ticketleap.com. Call 305-757-1807 or visit churchillspub.com.
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