Musicians that have side projects use them to express different musical ideas that don't fit in the main bands. But some are really so good that deserve to become full acts. Many exist, but one that is really deserving is HELLRYDER, from Germany, that comes kicking the goddamn doors down with "The Devil is a Gambler".

The band plays a crude and nasty form of traditional Heavy Metal with influences from MOTÖRHEAD and from early German Heavy/Power Metal, and even from classic Hard Rock, but bearing a modern and fresh outfit that's full of life (it means that's not sounding artificial). An obvious thing to expect from a band that has members of GRAVE DIGGER, XANDRIA, DOMAIN, ORDEN OGAN, BONFIRE and FREEDOM CALL on its lineup. It's abrasive, nasty and full of a personal energy, but with excellent choruses and fine crude melodies. And yes, the experience of the HELLRYDER's members made this album really an excellent experience.

The recordings, mixing and mastering were done by the guitarist Axel Ritt at Meadow Studio/Babenhausen. The final result is a hard and heavy sonority, with defined instrumental tunes. But the natural aggressiveness and melodic vocation of the band are exposed in a great way, indeed.

The main question could be if the album presents resemblances with GRAVE DIGGER's works. The answer is simple: only if the readers are introduced and understand what "Heavy Metal Breakdown" meant to be in 1985, and even like this, it's not a copy, but has the same free and uncompromised identity. But for those that didn't understand these words, songs as the brutal "Hellryder" (excellent harsh voices)
"Sacrifice in Paradise" and "Night Rider" (amazing catchy melodies and great guitars), the slow paced bone crusher called "The Devil is a Gambler" (what a solid and heavy work of bass guitar and drums), the shorts shot of energy called "Jekyll & Hyde" and "Chainsaw Lilly" (the influence of MOTÖRHEAD is clear on the nasty melodies), and the classic hard Rock catchy energy that permeates "Bad Attitude" will show you what's the spirit of old days that "The Devil is a Gambler" bears.

Yes, HELLRYDER is able to make the heart beat faster and happier, especially for the old Metal fans. So a dive into "The Devil is a Gambler" means you won't regret the experience!