An apology + Killer- The Grand Finale

 First, I would  like to apologize for my absence. While I explained my absence earlier, my summer got harder in the month of August and I just wasn't thinking about this blog. I wasn't even really listening to new music but instead finding comfort in old classics for a bit. But I have returned to give you my thoughts on various headbangers. Ain't you lucky?

So, speed metal? Well, I've always distinguished speed metal from thrash in one way. Thrash is punk rock and hardcore injected with a little more technicality. Speed metal is traditional heavy metal played at punk rock speeds with a more rock n roll attitude. That's how I've always separated, say Exciter from Slayer. Some people may disagree and that's fine, it's my own explanation. 

Killer, well now, they're Belgian speed metal royalty. I heard of them, like, 20 years ago and loved every record since.  This is all thanks to Hartmuth Schindler, who, for the uninitiated, ran Nazgul's Eyrie productions and the excellent Barbarian Wrath. I never met him in person but over the years, he and I spoke often on various online forums and he turned me on to some great shit. Killer is one of those bands. Here we have a release that snuck up on me. It's Killer's final record. While sad, I went into this record hoping it lived up to their legacy. Well, I hear you ask, did it? Let's find out. 

I knew I would love this record from the opening riff of "Loaded Gun". It careens through speed metal riffing, tasteful drum playing and spectacular solos that make you naturally air guitar until the final track, the very Motorhead sounding "What You See is What You Get" The singer even sounds like Lemmy on this song. Hell, even the lyrics on this one sound like Lemmy could have penned them. It appears they did dedicate this record to Lemmy and as a huge fan of the English Bastards, this song definitely brought a smile to my face! Other highlight songs include: "Welcome in the Real World", The 1-2 punch of "Roll the Dice" and "Hard Day Coming" and the mid-paced corker of "In the Eye of the Storm". 

I can't recommend this album enough. This is one of those records where it feels like the band sat down across from me and asked me what I'd like to hear in a record and they hit every note, beat and riff. The year is far from over with lots of great releases having been released and even more to come but this one will be hard to beat. This record is all Killer and no filler( Ha!) Go get this record now and enjoy the hell out of this record. As sad as it is that its their final record very few bands get to go out on such a high note. 

Keep watching this space. More reviews are incoming and bang the head that doesn't bang!