What's up, Metal maniacs? I'm here once again to give you an insight; this time on the AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE, on their new album "Tango Umbrella" ...hailing from the United States of America - performing Nu-Metal, signed via Napalm Records.

I was first acquainted with AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE through friends who offered me to go see them at the Garage, London (14/11/2013 to be exact) and boy, what a great gig that was! Front row, and luckily received a thrown pick from one of them! I was heavily addicted to their previous album "The War of Art" for its sheer originality of musical differences I hadn't exactly heard of before. And now I get offered to review the new release: "Tango Umbrella", you might be thinking "that's not a Metal title!" but as I've said in other submissions "don't judge a book by its cover" as -anything- can be considered Metal if you put your mind to it with upbeat positivity ...debatable of course... AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE indulge in on musical qualities that share that "this is for everyone" image, and that's how I see Nu-Metal in a nutshell. While granted certain elitists will frown upon it; it still is one of the most original genres one could ask for.

It's true that the Nu-Metal genre exposes in some equalities; making it possible for every Metal maniac to enjoy, but the great thing about AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE is their instrumental value and musicianship. Cameron Heacock on vocals showcases some typically Nu-Metal intrigues but variegating in some nice blends of differences so it doesn't feel samey. With a mass array of instrumental value included; we have Ted Hallows and Karma Cheema on guitars who implement some thrashy, keeping it fresh montages with Rock N Roll-like vibes with some electronica additions...with the help of the keyboardist - Justin Fowler, which adds a nice touch at atmospheric integrity now and then; the powerhouse of Chris Emery on drums and Chad Hanks on bass destroy their instruments with some noteworthy but also unheard of material that gets the listener racing...at least they did with me.

While granted Nu-Metal isn't necessarily my favourite genre; it's all still Metal to me in the end, and I try to at least keep an open mind to every genre. "Tango Umbrella" begins with an electronica vibration; "Let All The World Believe", while aggressive it pummels in on an incredibly heavy pound that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Similarly found in "Drowning Under Everything" where the musical differences excel at mid-tempo instrumentals to high-pitched vocal antics, with some nice rhythm sections to boot. The album continues to compel me to say that it's a variety-filled record and it's what makes it so special. "Perfectionist" begins a most upbeat "pound" that makes this one a slow-downed but thumping attribute. At this point; most of the album may sound electronica based, which is found in songs like "Sacred" but it keeps things fresh and heavy, "I Will Have My Day" shares similar notions but a noteworthy atmospheric element.

"Tango Umbrella" enlightens on keeping things unique and original that keeps an adequate production afloat; memorably a belter in the Metal integrity hall of fame, songs like "A King Among Men" varies with a keyboard solo to an interestingly glorious vocal performance that make this one atmospherically beautiful. High-pitched vocals without backup of Metal instruments? Brilliance, I'd say. "Suffer Elegantly" speeds things up that unleashes the groovy side of the band and much heavier side. Showcasing the thrashy elements I mentioned earlier. "Antidote", "Prolific Catastrophe" and "Down And Deprived" evidently don't pose too much differences to previous entries but all the more enjoyable - ending this killer with "When The Time Is Never Right" in a slow-tempo tuned, rhythmic, 7 minute track of epic proportions. With not much else to add; this pretty much sums up the album totally.

Bottom line... I commend AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE for their contribute to Metal - and so should you, "Tango Umbrella" is a fascinating record and I salute them for achieving such an adequate record that everyone should try at least once, for old and newcomers alike.