Pitts vs. Preps is the most recent project from local metal pioneer Kyle Thomas. His previous two bands, Floodgate and Exhorder, made a significant dent on the national underground scene with releases on Roadrunner Records. Exhorder is even credited in some circles with inventing the thrash sound that Pantera popularized early on. His new band follows in the same vein, though it’s much less visceral than would be expected from a guy who influenced one of the heaviest bands of all time. If you like early-’90s thrash metal, the sound on this record is practically a time capsule. From Jason Portera and Scott Guion’s crunchy rhythm guitars, Thomas’s pseudo-Chris Cornell wailing, and the faux Satanic imagery in the lyrics and on the front cover, all the ingredients are there. As good as some of the songs are (especially opener “Keep Me from the Fire”), the majority of Below and Beyond leaves you wishing that Thomas and company could have updated their sound just a little. Even metal legends need room to grow.