Some people are obsessed with the early days of Heavy Metal. That can manifest itself in a lot of ways. Some bands copy their peers, others take inspiration from them. Others are more interested in the intensity that was reached in those days. That is why they especially love the sound that was used back then, including a lot of reverb and echo. One of those is RECKLESS. This version of the band name actually hails from Bogota in Colombia. The band was erected in 2020, and the current album that I am reviewing is their debut album, which has been given the title “Sharp Magik Steel”. RECKLESS play Old School Speed Metal, which in fact is Old School Thrash Metal with Heavy Metal influences. And they obviously love what they do.

Like I said, the sound and production of “Sharp Magik Steel” is very much stuck in the eighties. Is that a problem? Well, not as far as I’m concerned, as it gives the music a bit of the same vibe as a lot of the early Speed and Thrash metal bands had, but also remind me of the Canadian band EXCITER and their debut album “Heavy Metal Maniac”, which still is one of the best debut albums ever recorded. What makes “Sharp Magik Steel” decidedly different is the fact that due to the reverb and echo used the vocals sound like a mix between Dan Beehler (EXCITER) and Paul Baloff (EXODUS), albeit a lot less manic sounding than the latter. Metalbringer is very peasant to listen to, although I do have real trouble trying to decipher what he is actually singing/shouting/barking.

Musically I have to admit that after being very sceptical at first, the band has grown on me considerably. The music is very contagious (yes, I do like to use that word), making me want to headbang, slam-dance and stagedive where possible. But, as we are in an apartment on the fifth floor, my wife has other ideas about that. Unfortunately, so has my back, so I’m just sitting down enjoying “Sharp Magik Steel” whilst tapping my right foot and cautiously nodding my head, while air-drumming at the same time. I can only say that although RECKLESS isn’t to be seen as a band that will change the face of Speed Metal, they are one of those that will get your juices flowing and your heartbeat racing. And that is more than enough for me.