METTLEANGEL (7/10)

I must admit it is a bit strange to review the debut album by my editor Steinmetal. Let me be frank and fair, Steinmetal holds that steel reserve, and he proves his mettle and knowledge of the genre with each excellent review he pens, but who knew how well he could sing? I certainly was unaware. I thought he just played guitar, but on "Heavy Weapons" all SWITCHBLADE guns are blazing.

I know I am stating the obvious, but Lord Steinmetal sings like Harry "Tyrant" Conklin and SWITCHBLADE bite and fight like the age ole masters JAG PANZER. However they should not be falsely accused as just a mere imitators, as Steinmetal has his own unique pitch and resonating tone. I clearly detect an homage to Mike Tirelli from MESSIAH'S KISS, Alan Tecchio from HADES or Tony Moore who recently left RIOT. Moshpit's drumming has its variances as well, but clearly seem to be influenced by Scott Travis, Nick Menza, and Rikard Stjernquist who has now teamed up with BENEDICTUM.

I never did hear any of the STEIN material or have had the privilege of experiencing any other SWITCHBLADE demos, but I understand that "Lost Lover's Unite" is a reworking of an older song. I did not care for this at first, but the ending crescendo, slight guitar gallop, and searing solo more than save it from being just another heavy power ballad. I feel a bit lost in the kingdom that is the album's instrumental, but the shredding of "Infernal Paradise" and the violent string sting of the more epic "Into The Unknown" redeem me. The heart breaker "Metalista" was released as a single in 2012 and this bitchfit attack along with the statement of "Euphoria", which includes a guitar solo by ex-member Yuri Sabov, are excellent tracks as well; etched in my memory, carved in stone.

Steinmetal wrote all the lyrics, and the rest of the arsenal of scorching tracks are killer from the blazing opener of "Heavy Weapons" right to the conclusion of the unstoppable force that is "Endless War", which neither borrows from REALM or OVERKILL but pays its respects to AGENT STEEL and their advocates from Italy ASGARD.

Many of the songs have that very heavy modern crunch which detracts a bit from that 80's classic feel, but in no way fall prey to too much chugging or unnecessary breakdowns. It is like what Vic Hix from SHOK PARIS did when he formed AFTERSHOK. Although I am also reminded by what PHANTOM mastered on "Cyberchrist" or even the heavier later incarnations by HELSTAR, VICIOUS RUMOURS, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF, CRIMSON GLORY, in fact, Wade Black's shrill range, and hints of Tim "Ripper" Owens' bellow seep in to the ear recognizable differences, as does the James Neal's "License To Kill".

This is 100% Traditional Metal, with some Power / Thrash qualities like found on the aforementioned "Endless War" or on the murdering weight of "Curse Of The Father, Sins Of The Son". This is the sound I want to hear! I am often reminded of KILLING MACHINE or MALICE, as the obvious JUDAS PRIEST and ACCEPT elements are ever present. They are signed to the same label as my UK buds in ANIHILATED, and the production is top notch too. Most of the music was written and arranged by sole guitarist Federico "FedeRock" Taich, and engineered, mixed and mastered at Flam Studios, Haifa / Israel, where all guitars, bass, drums, and vocals were also recorded.

I am quite ignorant when it comes to being familiar with Metal acts from Israel, save ORPHANED LAND who are the most well-known. However, as an American I will assert that this SWITCHBLADE symphony are the real deal, slicing right at the core, piercing like a stiletto, and stabbing deep into my mettle heart.

THE ZARTO (8/10)

These kinds of bands reminds me when and why I started listening to Metal music, and most importantly why I started to, this band has consistence, power, talent, and for sure a lot of Heavy Metal.

This release is just for the truly fans of Heavy Metal, why, because if you are not one, you'll get bored pretty fast, they do not intend to change the world, or make something new that changes the music industry, this is just heart and soul, a lot of riffs, high pitched vocals, fast and mid tempo drums, bass lines that go along with the melody, no special effects, no special atmospheres, this is just the Metal in one of its primitive forms, and don't get me wrong, these songs can get into your head, especially when you want to remember your old days and feel happy about them.

The songs are as heavy as the title, no ballads, no acoustic lines, no stops, just a continuous head bang from the beginning to the end, and I recall: this is Heavy Metal, not anything else, you will not find avant-garde sounds, or innovation, this band is made of talent for sure, but they have put all their effort in making a consistent album, instead of trying and failing, and that may be something wise, since they just need to do what they like, and not what we want. Highly recommended for the Heavy Metal Fans, if you are not... please avoid, and never return.