Boasting with senseless speed, pure youthful energy of sheer classic admiration and devotion, attracting attention with a sort of an addictive formula that would drag listeners to their down to their knees. I might be particular to a certain band, which probably already know or read the title, but for me it has always been 80’s Metal music, whether turning towards Speed / Power / Heavy Metal,
it was what it was. With its last 10 year span revival, which is still ongoing in full force, 80’s Metal music, scouring throughout that blissful decade, I can positively declare that Heavy Metal / NWOBHM is taking back its rightful place in the Metal chain. And now for the particularity, the Canadian SKULL FIST, akin to ENFORCER, HOLY GRAIL, MONUMENT and others that answered the call to the flag, have already proved that they are a rising force in the restoration of classic Heavy Metal to its lawful place, with stellar EP and debut album paying a fine tribute to the long forgotten days. It took them three years to release their brand new “Chasing The Dream”, via NoiseArt Records, but it was worth the wait, and believe me that this period of time surprisingly left them as star-spangled as before.
Can’t remember if noted about it before, maybe yes or no and I didn’t check my debut’s album review, but I have always found SKULL FIST to be musically in the crossroads between the British steel stout fabrics of ENFORCER to the head bashing contemporary flavors of the renowned US Metal killers, HOLY GRAIL. “Chasing The Dream”, hailing as better produced in comparison to the debut, virtually asserts the band’s constant mixture of Speed and Heavy Metal, like taking a trip back to the mid to late 80’s but with young at heart arrows. However, equitably to the efforts of HOLY GRAIL, the crew of SKULL FIST has been evolving its abilities to become to some degree methodological and procedural in their playing. The instrumental “Shred’s Not Dead” clearly demonstrates an emphatic display of playing and adequate capabilities of composition without sounding inexpressive or empty of content, actually it reminded me of the late 80’s albums of Vinnie Moore leaving out the extravagant soloing. On the other hand, “Sign of the Warrior” received a lot of replays from me, a powerful headbanging assault and battery that would remind you of the current ongoing ROCKA ROLLAS energetic Speed Metal crisps, slaying with crushing rapidness, tasteful riffery crossing with the ancients and a hell of a boastful chorus. Furthermore, it would seem that Jackie Slaughter slowly affirms himself as yet another adolescent sounding high pitcher, in the range of HOLY GRAIL’s James-Paul Luna, but far less soaring.
So is it another stellar performance of the Canadians? Bet your ass it is, simple and to the point Metal with strings back to the glory days. The tracklist, other than the ones I mentioned is pretty much in the same level, catchy hook laden tunes with flashy guitaring, margining between fast to mid tempos attempting perfection. “Chasing The Dream” turning up 2014 with a great start, a band with a bright future that should maintain its vigor and aptitude.
1. Hour to Live
2. Bad for Good
3. Chasing the Dream
4. Call of the Wild
5. Sign of the Warrior
6. You’re Gonna Pay
7. Don’t Stop the Fight
8. Shred’s Not Dead
9. Mean Street Rider
Jonny Nesta – Bass / Guitars
Jackie Slaughter – Vocals / Guitars
Casey Slade – Bass
Chris Steve – Drums