::REVIEW::

Zero Tolerance’s A Test of Strength arrives with no pretense and no disguise. It is a straight line document of intent with eight tracks, thirty minutes, and no deviation from their mission. The Canadian quartet operates inside thrash’s classic framework, but they refuse to reenact it. They sharpen it, condense it, and strip it down to the core mechanics of velocity, articulation, and impact.
‘Hexengeist’ sets the frame with exacting right-hand work and a rhythm section that commits to forward motion rather than ornamental weight. ‘Leather Lung’ follows with a tighter grip, built around mid-tempo crunch that breaks cleanly into acceleration. The sequencing matters. The band understands momentum and doesn’t dilute it.
‘Point Blank’ and ‘Breach for Terror’ pull from the heavier, demolition-driven strain of thrash without collapsing into retro mimicry. The production keeps the guitars harsh but controlled, and the vocals stay right in the pocket rather than dominating the mix. It gives the material more credibility than volume alone.
The title track functions as the hinge point. It’s pacing, deliberate, landing each riff with enough space to register before the next blow. ‘Kill the Colony’ and ‘N.O.Y.C.’ push the record’s aggression into the final stretch, while ‘Incendiary’ closes with a focused burn rather than a theatrical finish.
A Test of Strength succeeds because it refuses excess. Zero Tolerance knows the lineage they’re entering, and they answer it with discipline, clarity, and complete impact.

Review written by FuegoCasa in collaboration with Headbangers Australia in November 2025.