Since the old sonorities from the past came back to Metal, living in the same time as modern tendencies, we can say that things became better: nothing is lost, so we have all to gain. The problem with the old ways is that you need to show a lot of your personality, because if you don't have it, you'll be like many others: a clone. And the duo OUTLINE, that comes from Cleveland, Ohio (USA), show what they got with "Fire Whiplash", their first album.

To be honest, it is composed from material of their first Demo Tape, and it bears the same name of the album. Musically, they are another band with their focus on Speed Metal ways from the first half of the 80's, based on bands as ACID and other names from Belgium. Of course it's nothing new at all, but it's good, and they still have some points that evolution will take its toll as time passes by and they mature. But they are in the right way, mixing a fast and aggressive form of music with good melodies.

"Fire Wiplash" bears a sound quality that isn't the better for their music. It's crude beyond the point. Obviously it was chosen to be similar to the old sound qualities of the past, what was a loss of time. They aren't a band from the 80's (and they will never be, no matter what anyone can say), so a cleaner and defined sound quality would fit perfectly on their songs. It's not foggy of something that we can't understand, but this crude outfit is annoying. Joel Grind made the mastering of the album, but they could call him to produce and mix their next release, for he knows to do what I mean with my words.

On the songs, they show a pretty good work, with seven lashes of the purest Speed Metal you can ask for. But the energy of "Metal is Me" (very good simple guitar riffs), the charming melodies of the median tempos of "Lady Teaser", the fast and blunt "Black Eyed Devil" (very good vocals, indeed), the slow paced "Away From You" (what lovely melodies it bears), and the sharp spear called "Hell Squad" can be named as their finest moments.

They have potential to be a very good name the duo does, but as I mentioned: a better production would take OUTLINE to a higher level.