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Speed Metal Mania/To the Grave is a compilation of the second and third albums released by Worcester, Massachusetts-based speed freaks Seax. It is an interesting effort as you can hear the difference in the band's musical approach pretty clearly. Starting with the most recent effort, Speed Metal Mania, you've got unrelenting speed and high-pitched screams reminiscent of early Slayer and Exciter. Shifting to the older To the Grave on the second half of the album, the speed is less omnipresent and the vocals more of a mid-range bellow, so the Motörhead influence is more evident. There's so much speed metal in the market today, it is hard to separate from the crowd, but I have to say songs like "Fall to the Hammer" and "Speed Metal Mania" had me thinking fondly of Slayer's "Final Command" and Exciter's "Long Live the Loud." I prefer the material on the Speed Metal Mania half of this compilation but To the Grave isn't bad either and, since you get both, it's a win-win.