Speed Metal is a genre that essentially belongs to the 80s. It’s an evolution from traditional Heavy Metal played on NWOBHM, and with roots on the works of MOTÖRHEAD, JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT and others, and they ignited the things for acts as EXCITER, ANVIL and others. In many senses, people often think of the genre as an embryonic form of Thrash Metal, but’s not fair to think in this way, because Thrash Metal isn’t as melodic as Speed Metal (that carries the same vein of melodies of traditional Heavy Metal). And one fine way to understand the differences is hearing to the genre deeply, and maybe “Ruination Revelation”, the new full-length of the North American duet WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS can clarify things a little more.

The sonority was worked in a way that resembles the ‘need-for-the-organic’ usual for Old School Metal acts, so it means that things were done in the simplest way possible. But the level of sound definition is very good, allowing the understanding of what they do. It could be done in a better way, having in mind what ENFORCER and SKULLFIST usually do, but’s not bad at all. The band drinks its influences from early - and melodic - European bands of the genre, from names as LIVING DEATH (on its early days), HELLOWEEN (on its early days too), FAITHFUL BREATH, ACID, SCANNERS and others, with clear references to JUDAS PRIEST’s music as well; what means that they have fast tempos being entangled by hooking melodies (besides in some moments, the melodic side overruns the speed, as heard on “Covenant of the Reapers”), what means that their music is full of energy, but’s accessible to fans of melodic ways into Metal as well.

It's clear that the duet still has to mature a bit more - especially choosing a better producer on the next time, to give them a hand on sharping their efforts - but they show a great potential on “Dogs Will Bite”, “Breeders of the Hate”, “Cold Steel”, “Dead at Last”, “Frustrated Mind”, “Gargantuan”, “Ruination Revelation”, and “Covenant of the Reaper”. Potential enough that deserves the attention of the fans of the genre.

Adjusting the production/sonority on the next time, and sharpening their efforts in a better way, and no one will stand before WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS. For now, listening to “Ruination Revelation” isn’t a traumatic experience at all.