Album Review- Leathurbitch: Into The Night

Back when I saw these guys at Legions of Metal in Chicago in 2018, I knew they had something special and unique. Their E.P combined some really catchy speed metal with hard driving late 80’s sleaze metal to create a killer release showing how hungry these guys are. Finally now we have a full length release coming out May 31st and I have to say it really is a sleazy metal masterpiece.

Opening with a very 80’s synth piece, the album goes into full blast with “L.U.S.T” showcasing some tight instrumentals led by Joel Stair’s unique vocals. This tune has a very catchy chorus as well and shows virtually the same band I remember seeing live with a slightly polished production working in their favor. Next up is “I Want What You Got” which shows the sleazier hard rocking side of the band but still works with the sound they are going for with some moments that stray into speed metal as well. “Sleaze City” is next up and is another catchy tune that doesn’t let up and features one of my favorite solo’s on the album. “Killing The Silence” goes for more straight forward speed with Joel’s soaring vocals really making this one of the major highlights. I also really love the groove going on with “I’m Insane” and it feels like if early Queensryche stepped off the sunset strip and I really dig it. The final tune “Killer Instinct” may just be my favorite song on the album with how razor sharp the band is.

Overall, Leathurbitch are really coming out swinging with this debut. If you are into Sleazy metal dripping with speed and major attitude then this album is for you. The band essentially take the formula they established on their E.P and refined it time ten. Grab this album May 31st from High Roller Records, its worth it and definitely will be on repeat for my summer playlist.

Album Review- Riot City: Burn The Night

 

 

 

Album releases are definitely coming in hot and heavy within the next month and this album is no exception. I have been waiting inhumanely patient for the official release from Canada’s excellent speed metallers Riot City and the time has finally come. Entitled “Burn The Night”, this album definitely pulls you in with the eye catching and colorful cover that seems to pay homage to some of Priest’s most memorable covers. However, what lays within will make your head uncontrollably bang and endlessly air guitar until the last second.

Opening with “Warrior Of Time”, the intro quickly builds into a pure assault on your ear drums in a great way. The galloping guitars along with the epic and falsetto vocals really get the album off to a great start. This tune shows how catchy the album definitely can be right away. The title track is one of my favorites with the main riff getting stuck in my head as soon as the first listen and the solo is just oozing with magic and intensity! In The Dark is another major highlight with catchy vocals and an awesome acoustic opening before you get hit in the face with brutal double bass drumming. Honestly, there really isn’t a bad track portrayed on this album from the riff heavy Livin’ Fast to the breakneck speeds of Steel Rider to the catchy ender Halloween At Midnight, this album just screams all the way through.

Overall, Riot City have crafted a worthy debut album that lived up to expectations that I have had ever since hearing of the band years ago. They definitely took the time with these songs to give them magic and a spark that will make any fan of old school speed metal feel confident that there is still real gems being produced out there and Burn The Night will be one of those ones I fondly remember looking back! Check it out as soon as it is released on May 17th!

 

Preorder the album: http://swordsandchains.storenvy.com/collections/57505-all-products/products/25992693-riot-city-burn-the-night-preorder

Album Review- Asomvel: World Shaker

 

 

Here is an album I have been anticipating for awhile. For those who are not familiar with Asomvel, they are a trio that are true to their roots as a straight to the point classic Heavy Metal group. Their sound is rooted mainly in Motorhead all the way to the distorted Rickenbacker bass lines and growling vocals. However, with their sound so reminiscent of classic acts, can they hold up on their own? Now the album “Knuckle Duster” they released some years ago was damn good and a very fun album but I felt the production was just a tad flat in parts and the vocals just felt a bit off to me as well. However, with “Worldshaker”, the band forges on with the Nephew of original front man Jay Jay Winter at the front of the band and this album I have to say is pretty damn fun.

Now what makes this album to me an improvement over “Knuckle Duster” is firstly that the production seems a bit more lively. The bass really takes over and but still meshes well with the guitar lines. Even thought the Motorhead sound is even heavier here, it still works as the song quality is very tight. We have break neck speed tunes such as the title track, “Runnin The Gauntlet” and “Every Dog Has It’s Day” to songs that are locked in solid grooves like “PayBack’s A Bitch”, “Reap The Whirlwind” and the generic but straight to the point titled “The Law Is The Law”. However, for me personally the best song here is “The Nightmare Ain’t Over” which is one of the catchiest tunes and ends the album with everything it’s got.

While this album is everything but original, it hits you square in the face with a solid selection of songs that are straight, simple hard rock n roll. Asomvel to me are very much how Airbourne are in the spirit of keeping that Hard Rock sound alive and this record definitely exemplifies that for showing that the old school still has a place in 2019. “Worldshaker” comes out May 3rd through Heavy Psych Sounds. Check it out!

 

Order the album: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS102

 

Album Review- Tora Tora: Bastards Of Beale

Tora Tora are a hard rock band that formed in Memphis at the tail end of the 80’s unfortunately sandwiched between the Glam acts and the heavy hitting Grunge bands soon to come. While they did have some minor hits and fairly strong albums with “Surprise Attack” and “Wild America”, they never saw much more than a cult status and soon folded after planning a third album that never was released. However with the recent onslaught of more obscure acts returning with full-fledged reunions, the time seems right to give this little Bluesy Hard Rock group a second chance and the market seems ripe for their return. Finally in early 2019, we are seeing the next chapter of Tora Tora entitled “Bastards of Beale”.

Right away the band come out swinging with the heavy Bluesy hard rock sound they reveled in when they first formed. We see opener “Sons of Zebedee” keeping a refined melodic rock sound all the way through its chorus all the way to the very upbeat “Silence the Sirens” which is one of my favorites here. Another major highlight is “Son of a Prodigal Son” which has an almost vintage country stomp to it with driving acoustic guitars against heavier electric guitar riffs. The production I also have to say fits the bands character as well. Every instrument is mixed evenly together and still are able to give off a garage band sort of vibe where everything still feels loose and organic. Songwriting-wise, the arrangements are very simple in their execution but hold a lot in terms of feeling and that can be heavily attributed to Anthony Corder’s soulful voice. Besides a lot of other standout rockers such as “Rose Of Jericho” and the swaggering title track, we also get some softer sides such as “Lights up the River” which absolute shines. It adds more to what is already a terrific rock solid album.

Honestly, this album is one of the major early highlights of the year and it is a totally unexpected one. While I love when bands expand their sounds to new musical heights, sometimes it is great to just put on a simple rock record with song after song of catchy hooks to keep you coming back for more which is what you exactly get here. Tora Tora have released a record in 2019 that’s a statement showing that straight forward rock n roll ain’t dead and that they aren’t either and are here to show the kids how to do it right.