I am not a music critic. I like what I like and usually praise it on Social Media. The stuff I dislike I don't discuss because who the fuck am I to judge another musician? I like virtuosos but I also like musicians who've learned just enough on their instruments to get the point across. Hellhammer's "Apocalyptic Raids" and Racer X's "Street Lethal" are of equal importance to me. So let's take a look at some recent releases by newer names that are carrying the Metallic Torch.
Haunt "Burst Into Flame" 2018
A Fresno, Calif based band that knocked my socks off. I picked up this album after hearing one track on YouTube and I liked the album cover. Quite capable musicianship and songwriting across the board. Thin Lizzy are definitely one of my favorite bands and I hear a lot of that influence here merged with early to mid 80's Ozzy Osbourne, Deaf Dealer and Iron Maiden. The band combine these styles and put their own trademark on them. Excellent album.
Vothana "Game Over" 2022
I guess this is "sketchy" Black Metal? Good. Black Metal should be sketchy. Vothana is a long running one man unit and apparently, this is his final album as he hates even being involved in a scene that has wimped out and become politically correct. It's vicious and highly melodic trance inducing Black Metal played with over the top barbarism. He belts out his hateful vocals in Vietnamese and doesn't fuck around. This is low fi Black Metal pushed into the red so look out. Great stuff! Good luck finding an lp.
Saber "Without Warning" 2020
Godamn this is good. These kids studied their metalhead parents' record collections extensively and got their hands on a box of VHS tapes of 80's "Headbangers Ball" episodes (before Rikki Rachman ruined the show). Of course all of the above is just probably an incorrect assumption. These kids are carrying the torch of Pure Traditional Heavy Metal and give me lots of hope for the genre. Right out the gate I hear early Agent Steel, Judas Priest, Loudness, Maiden and plenty of NWOBHM. This album is raw and sounds amazing. Saber and Haunt are playing this kind of music with a passion that us old rockers need to pay attention to and get some inspiration from.
Brahmastra "Montauk Ultra" 2021
A concept album dealing with the CIA'S mind control program. This is pretty terrifying Industrial Black Metal from one ridiculously talented chap who happens to be a friend of mine and I had him autograph my cd! Monstrous, psychotic riffing and nicely programmed drums with intelligent and venomous barked out vocals sure to keep you at the edge of your seat and beaten into a state of stupefaction upon it's conclusion. Amazing album.
So, this is just a small sampling of some of the newer Metal coming out to keep our minds open and not completely stuck in the past. All highly recommended.
Toby