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It
plain and simple doesn’t get any more metal than this.
In fact, Japan’s Metalucifer are so fucking metal they
make Manowar look like Radiohead. I kid you not. You
only have to check one tune of this stellar anthemic
full-length to notice that your back is getting hairier
and you are growing a beer belly.
Heavy Metal
Bulldozer is the type of album that is nothing but metal. There
don’t even seem to be any outside of metal influences, and
that’s evident starting with the band’s moniker, passing through
their denim clad attires, their spikes, bullet belts, reflective
shades and facial expressions. As such, it is clear to whom this
release is geared. And as such, Metalucifer pigeonhole
themselves perhaps a little bit too much by only allowing one
branch of metal within their realm to feed their influences. But
hey, if you can pull it off who am I to argue?
Still, it is
difficult to resist how utterly catchy and humoring this album
is. More importantly, the songs are solid enough to elevate
Metalucifer beyond the gimmick side project field. Heavy Metal Bulldozer
packs ten mid tempo classics, each properly titled to fit the
obvious theme. We have “Heavy Metal Ironfists” opening the
proceedings and being followed by “Heavy Metal Bulldozer”,
“Heavy Metal Battleaxe”, “Heavy Metal Warriors”, “Heavy Metal
Mountain” and…errr…you get the idea.
Like the
opening number “Heavy Metal Ironfists”, which delivers mid tempo
melodies, tasty guitar solos and memorable all-at-once fist
pumping choruses, this remarkable album remains consistent,
controlled, stylish and focused. When I mentioned that
Metalucifer perhaps pigeonholed themselves, I meant that
Metalucifer pays homage to the old school of heavy metal and to
nothing else. Nary a whiff of death, doom or else in sight
around here. In parts we can hear some resemblance to the
escalating riffs that gave birth to speed metal, but for
Metalucifer melody is key.
More
precisely Metalucifer point to the NWOBHM, where precious guitar
harmonics are more valid than aggression, vocal lines are
performed non-chalantly instead of being cluttered by outrageous
moods and fits, and steady 4/4 beats overcome the urge to blast
the double bass kick drums.
Metalucifer
have been battling it out since 1995. In their ranks we can find
two of the dudes from oriental metal legends Sabbat. Curious
cats might want to dig out their already lengthy discography.
Official Site
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