LEATHERJACKS is a traditional metal band bringing you music that sounds like it's straight from the 1980s. The brainchild of Mauro Cordeiro, the project formed in Sao Paulo, Brazil and aims to bring traditional metal back. The album "Extremely Dangerous" already garnered attention, winning Bet Rock Album from The Akademia Website. Overall, the sound is incredibly solid and it's worth a listen if you like traditional metal.

The album opens with "Dejacked" which features a low, guttural guitar and an androgynous, raspy vocal style that distinguishes itself from other traditional metal acts. The instrumental break is introduced and has a riff like a revving engine until it bursts into higher pitched sweeps. Other than that, it has a standard verse/chorus setup throughout, introducing the band as a fun, fist-pumping traditional band. Nothing too deep, which is par for the course for the album. It's full of lighthearted rocking fare that's written to jam to. They have variety, though. The second song is more low-key with a smoother melody. The hook is standard with a repeat of the name of the song "I Hate To Fall In Love." It's still fast, but it's distinct from the first song. The third song picks up speed and has a simple hook throughout.

"Extremely Dangerous" begins with a song title shout out and then a subdued verse. The vocals sound like a duet, and the music sets it up like a rumble. In similar fashion, the chorus punches out. The gallops in "Persona Non Grata" put the song more in power metal territory than its predecessors. I adore the way the chorus soars and the melody is perfection here. Similarly, "Taura" begins with a soaring melody and echoing vocals in the back that harken more to power metal. The videogame symphonics make me feel like I'm crushing levels, but it works with the overall 1980s feel of the album. It's one of my favorite songs on the album due to its energy. "The Payback Bay" does a 180 stylistically and opens with a rough, gritty chorus. It's more like the earlier tracks and puts the edge back in the music. "Spells And Zombies Through The Night" goes back to the smoother music in the intro, but that ends once the verse comes roaring in. The song closes with "AOR Boulevard" which is the most anthemic song on the album. The subtle note rises through the main riff lift the song up and leave the listener on a feel-good track to leave the album.

On first listen, the album seems bland, like same traditional metal, different band. Overall, though, I like the 80s Streetfighter feeling throughout the album. Quality wise, the production is clear and musically, it's solid. I'm not a fan of the raspy vocals, but they work with the style. If you're looking for an album to turn your brain off to, not think too deep about the composition, and pretend like it's 1985 again, this is for you.