When it comes to Heavy Metal, the 1980s is a decade that brought the genre from cinders to a roaring blaze. The interesting detail about German band WALLOP is they originated in this wildfire era, although they had disbanded a year after their explosive debut studio album in 1985. Long after the ash settled and the members pursued other endeavors, WALLOP reunited in 2019 to set the world ablaze once more. Their first album in nearly 40 years has arrived in 2020, accurately named "Alps on Fire". The album contains a blend of old songs and previously unreleased material full of that wild Metal fire you'd expect from a band with history in the genre.

"Running Wild" is a solid opening track, but not much stood out. It's a similar instance with a later on track "Stealthy World". They're good, nothing extravagant. Thankfully, many of the other songs are on an entirely different level.

"Missing in Action"  and "Lack of Power" both have a Thrash Metal bite; there's short, almost growl-like vocals and also chuggy fast riffs and fast, snare heavy drums. You can easily imagine the killer mosh pit these songs could stir during a live show, especially the windmill style head-bang worthy solo in the latter track. "Metallic Alps" has an intro that completely throws you for a loop including a short yodel bit to draw you in. The song proceeds to instead bring you to the metal mountains where the sound hits you like an exhilarating avalanche. The solo in this one is the definition of Heavy Metal with just the right amount of speed and melody to take you to this badass mountain range they call the Metallic Alps. "Reveal the Lies" was more on the Power Thrash side of their sound. The guitar and bass both really had a chance to shred all over the place in this one. "Monsters" and "Metallize" both have a fun and frantic melody and plenty of shred, despite the songs clocking at around 3 minutes each. "69" is a slower track chockful of sexual references, similar to something by STEEL PANTHER. Can't say I'm a fan of this track, it really threw off the "shut up and mosh" vibe of the entire album. "Crash, Bang, Wallop" is a cover initially by fellow Heavy Metallers RAVEN and the track where the band got its namesake. This song features John Gallagher himself on backing vocals and playing the great solo in this iconic track. "Wall of Sound" makes for a perfect closing track. It's fast, fierce, and more than worthy of playing loud. You'll definitely want to thrash along to this heavy final track.

Overall, WALLOP shows that Metal has no expiration date. These guys still have liquid metal in their veins and fire in their hearts, even after nearly 40 years of not playing music together. "Alps on Fire" a blast to listen to; you just want to bang your head and maybe smash things as you mosh around whatever room you happen to be in while listening. The melodies are so frantic and catchy, like gasoline on flames. The shred-tastic guitar solos spread the fire, and the expansive vocals are like the winds that carry the embers through the forests of the Metallic Alps.