Sometimes, when dealing with an old name, the tendency of the fans and writers is to pay respect due the band’s past and history, but no one needs to do such a thing. If it’s good or bad, the release will speak on its behalf, and no one needs to protect anyone. But it’s clear that some old stallions seem to still have lessons to teach to the younger ones, as the Danish quintet WASTED shows on “Five”. The band (as many others Danish acts that were risen on the late 70s - early 80s) comes with a combination of melodic traits with an aggressive outfit, so it’s not a sin to say that the quintet is still a Heavy Metal act with Hard Rock touches, but that takes advantage of aggressive influences inherited from modern Heavy Metal and even from Thrash Metal (as heard on its insane riffing), with an young and savage energy that bleeds throughout the entire album.

It’s really great! The production was done in a way to transpose their musical work to our days without losing its melodic DNA, but filling their songs with an aggressive temper that makes things way tasteful than expected. It’s clear and defined in a way that is simple to understand what they express, but with aggressive instrumental tunes. The 11 songs of “Five” shows that these guys are far from retirement. Just hear to “Welcome to the Dark” (the blend between charming melodies and aggressiveness is really great one this one), “Distorted Deceivers” (impossible to resist to this chorus, and what great singing is heard on this one), “My Little Thing of Darkness” (a bit more accessible due clear Hard Rock traces, it’s the song for the official Single of the album), “Clown” (wow, what great guitar riffs and solos), “Spooky Dookie”, “The World is Mine” (a bit more thrashing than the others due the tempos), “Freak of Fury” (fine contrasts, indeed), “Speed Demon”, “Immortal Man” (what a mastodonic weight imposed by bass guitar and drums), “Seasons of the Pale” and “Distorted” and check that they’re still alive and savage!

“Five” is an excellent release, so listen to it and pay respect to WASTED!