In the early years of the 80s, USA Metal scene started to boil hot as an answer to what was happening on England with NWOBHM (the word ‘answer’ is not used on a bad sense here, as US Metal was an aftershock to the rebirth of Metal that happened on England in the late 70s). It’s obvious that the first half of the 80s witnessed the birth, rise and the fall of the genre there (the fall is just when Metal gave its place to Alternative genres in the 90s on the musical parades), but no one said that it couldn’t rise again, as it seems to be happening right now. And “Magnabolt”, this re-release of the first album of the Portland (Oregon) based quartet MAGNABOLT is spewing forth such musical ways. The band’s conjuring spells in the same vein that JAG PANZER, GRIFFIN, HELSTAR, OMEN, RUTHLESS, MALICE and others did on the 80s, that mix between hooking melodies inherited of the 70s’ Hard Rock (remembering that acts as RIOT, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, THE RODS and some others have an important role for US Metal) with the technical care that is precious for North American bands, and the clear influences of JUDAS PRIEST and ACCEPT on their musical work.

It’s melodic, heavy and really full of energy, with many choruses that are hard to forget once heard, sharp shreds on the guitar solos and duets, and everything else. But pay attention: even being playing in the same genre of the ones written above, MAGNABOLT shows personality (although they can sharp it a bit more in the future) on its songs. The production seems to be done in a way that can be clean and defined, but looking for something organic and free of the modern technologies (those editions that can make an album sounds ‘mechanical’ sometimes), but it could be done in a better way (things sounds a bit rawer than the needed). It’s good, but not in the right point the quartet’s music deserves. It’s good work of Charlie Koryn (recording, mixing) and Joel Grind (mastering).

“Magnabolt” was released only on a digital version on 2019, but now it’s here on its physical version (thanks of Stormspell Records efforts), and shows a band that really has a great potential, as depicted on songs as “Surveillance” (excellent heavy guitars and solid rhythms of bass guitar and drums, with charming melodic solos), “The Thunder Breaks” (again the instrumental sheath is built upon a solid and technically good work of bass guitar and drums, but in a heavier way than on the previous song), “Master of the Cosmos” (wow, what lovely duets and licks on the guitars, with tempos remembering the early days of US Metal), “Don’t Question the Master” (on this one, the band creates a more heavier and abrasive song, without tearing apart the melodic appeal), “Tongue of Fire” (that shows a solid and heavy guitar attack the resembles to ACCEPT’s early albums), and “Power Squelch”. But as said: the quartet needs to improve a bit more, especially on the vocals (it’s just a matter of rehearsing a bit more to find a more aggressive approach, and not of taking Peter out, please).

Well, as “Magnabolt” was originally released in 2019 (again, only on digital version), let’s welcome MAGNABOLT, and wish them luck success, because the band is really good.