Another first-rate album -- the fifth in a row, to be precise -- is the final one to feature the band's classic lineup, as guitarist would depart following the album's completion. Released in 1982, is mostly distinguished from its predecessors in terms of production, and not favorably. produced this album himself, whereas industry veterans and had respectively manned 's past four albums. 's production is a bit sterile in comparison, with his guitar in the forefront, sounding slightly more polished than usual. These are minor points, however. is a fine album, and there's not much at all to complain about here. As usual, the performance is ferocious and there several standout songs ( ) amid a strong selection overall. If falls a little short of its four-star predecessors, it's still in a class with those albums, at least relative to what would follow in the years to come. Sadly, it was downhill from here for , slowly but steadily. Not until the '90s would they reach heights near this again. ~ Jason Birchmeier