From Bandcamp, "INNER URGE is an original metal band created by Matt Whitehead of Nanaimo, BC, Canada. So far, Matt's the only permanent member. He has, however, already written and recorded a full album that is receiving the last touches before being unleashed on the world. And here it is...titled "Consume and Waste," is has nine songs.

"I'll Overcome" is the first. From the opening riff and scream, the sound is traditional NWOBHM. Unfortunately, it isn't anything to get excited about. The riffs are elementary, the singing is decent, and it just sounds like something from the early 1980's without much fanfare. "I Am Inside" features some decent guitar harmonies in the beginning. The vocals are near snarls with some octaves added here and there. But again, the riffs are elementary and the sound is pretty bland. "Stand Strong" is another song that is very close to the same blueprint as the others, although the familiar Power Metal jaunt is a little more distinct here. The singer has a decent range however and really brings his A game.

"Never Forsaken" has some decent guitar harmonies and even some decent vocal harmonies to start. But the simply riffing keeps the song grounded. "Fight for Every Breath" further details how the simple song titles are aligned with the elementary riffs. This bordering on cringe-worthy at this point in the album. The leads are pretty good in this song, however. If only he could transition them to the structures of the riffs. "Relentless Quest" closes the album. The band is putting in some effort here but it's too little, too late for me, with another song that sounds very much like the others. Again, the vocalist brings his A game but the music is really lacking.

All of the song are about the same length, give or take 30 seconds, which means that the composer pretty much had a one track mind when it came to the songwriting, and he stuck to the formula used. It kind of sounds like a (very) stripped down IRON MAIDEN. The vocalist has a decent voice and good range, however, and I give Matt credit for trying, but this album fell pretty flat for me.