Cult's No BS Metal Reviews #6 - Part 2

I'm using this segment as a means to explore acts and releases that may well have slipped under the radar. There's so much metal out there it's quite daunting for any fan to try to keep up. These are going to be shorter than usual reviews utilizing a Straight to the Point view on style and whatever else immediately grabs my attention that I deem important, but have no fear If I don't like it I won't BS and will certainly not sugar coat my opinion.

Click for more of Cult's No BS Quick Metal Reviews

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Once again I'm showcasing releases from around the world, sit back prepare the headphones and shut the woes of the world out...it's time for Metal!!

Division Speed – Self Titled
Label: High Roller Records
Country of Origin: Germany

Admittedly I'm always a little leery of pressing play on an album that's in the speed metal category, however, this one just blew my freakin' mind. The rhythms, the technical riffs, old school vocals, drums, dammit just every GD attribute is perfect enough to sate the lusts of any discerning speed freak. Odd that they sound more like Whiplash (American) in tone than say Sodom (German). A smidgen of NWOBHM, especially in Sturmbataillon, thrown in for good measure makes this a release not to be missed IMO. Speed that deserves attention!

4.5 out of 5 Zombies F'in Love It!

Speedtrap – Straight Shooter
Label: Svart Records
Country of Origin: Finland

Anyone hankering for some good ole fashioned Heavy Metal with an overdose of catchy riffs and screaming guitars will love this. My jaw about dropped when I pressed play, I think I finally picked it up from the dirt as the opening track, No Glory Found, came to a close. An outstanding release that may well lead you to break out the denim, studs, Iron Maiden and Saxon vinyls (if you're over 45!). If you're anything like me you might feel sad for a moment pondering on why it is that you can't rock a ('chick magnet') mullet anymore. This one will bring back a shit load of memories and will certainly place on my best of 15' list. Dammit my neck hurts! Turn the volume to 11 for this one!

5 out of 5 Zombies Say, "Buy It!"

Sothoth – Rise to Conquer (recorded 2008, released 2015)
Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Poland

Skillful technical death, with smatterings of old school chuggery, with a Decapitated feel (both old and new styles ironically also from Poland) within epic tracks earn the listeners interest and hold it throughout. Shades of Abysmal Dawn and Disincarnate also shine through making this an album one can spin several times and not get bored with. Such a sad state of affairs when an album of this caliber is unable to find release following its production. Intricate and inventive death, a must listen.

4 out of 5 Zombie Horns Up!

Blackwelder – Survival of the Fittest
Label: Golden Core Records
Country of Origin: International

Another power metal release, but this time it's different (uh huh... right!). Did not Raven release an album with the same name? But seriously this is a power metal supergroup (red flag raised) that's actually somewhat bearable, strange then that the members are from bands I tend to avoid (Primal Fear, Di'anno, Gamma Ray and to top the list off Yngwie – F'in – Malmsteen). With only a few moments of near vomiting wankery forgotten about this was quite a pleasure to listen to including numerous passages of guitar wizardry and vocals that aren't altogether annoying, a tad Halford-ish to be honest. Surprisingly decent even for a self-confessed loather of typical speed metal. Overall a release that puts me in mind of Randy Rhodes era Ozzy albums. Probably higher if I could get over my hatred of this genre overall.

4 out of 5 Zombie Horns Raised High

Once Human – The Life I Remember
Label: earMusic
Country of Origin: USA

A quick note before I begin to delve into my opinions on this. This is the first live band for guitarist Logan Mader since leaving Machine Head and Soulfly. Onwards... A fantastic, somewhat, classical toned introduction leads the audience directly into the second track. The first thing I notice are the vocals, Lauren Hart (yes, a delightful female in more ways than one) shreds and delivers everything a fan of this (melodic) genre can hope for. A slight similarity to Angela Gossow and (the) Arch Enemy style must be also noted. The combination of vocals and the music's style meshes without visible seam deserving much applause over and above that of a first release standpoint. The music itself is pleasingly melodic and flows amazingly well with enough groove to keep various appendages twitching uncontrollably. Swatches of emotion (especially within Growing Colder give the album a symphonic feel, that which Nightwish possess, pleasing enough to entice those that normally wouldn't look twice at album's within this realm. Suffice it to say an outstanding debut showing promise for the bands future.

4.5 out of 5 Zombies Can't Be Wrong

Ascendor – Drive My Demons Away
Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Malta

A thrash entry to bring this week’s entries to a close. Not traditional in the slightest this release boasts progressive themes and slower emotional interludes thoughout but still provides speedy riffage and melody that fans of the genre demand. Dipping frequently in the heavy metal arena passages of Drive My Demons Away are definitely reminiscent throwbacks to a bygone metal era that's strangely finding somewhat of a resurgence as of late. Worthy of a peek!

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​That’ll do it for this week’s epic No BS – Straight To The Point reviews. We’ll be back with much more metal next week so until then… Keep it Metal!

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What do you think metalheads? Did Cult find you a new favorite? Let us know what you think in the comments below. ​

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