Wolf - The Black Flame

Wolf, a Swedish band, are one of those newer groups that form mainly to pay tribute to heavy fucking metal as it's meant to be played - loud and with attitude. There's no real innovation or progression to be found here, but that's okay, because it takes a simple formula and makes it great, like every good heavy metal band does. With the traditional influences of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Accept, and others, these guys are a blast from the past. With the benefit of enough creativity to write interesting riffs and the technical skill to bring them to fruition, this foursome is force to be reckoned with. Niklas Stålvind's vocals are kind of high and nasally, but it works for this sort of metal, and he can definitely hit the high notes (though there aren't a whole lot of them on this album). The solos will grab you immediately and call upon you to air-guitar. The lyrics on this, their newest album, are kind of dark, dealing with things like zombies, demons and possession, but since it's heavy metal, the album doesn't sound that evil. But that's okay, you're not looking for deep atmosphere in a heavy metal album, are you? Fans of classic metal and bands like Icarus Witch will want to pick this up.

The Black Flame (2006)

Riot - Thundersteel

Riot is actually one of America's first metal bands, having formed way back in 1976 under guitarist Mark Reale. Having started out as a basic heavy metal band, they released several albums (including one particularly good one by the name of Fire Down Under) before disbanding in 1983. However, the band reformed fairly quickly in 1986 under Reale, and released this comeback album. Thundersteel took the first few albums' style a step further, and became speed metal. Excellent, twin guitar-driven speed metal heavily-influenced by Judas Priest. Some songs are blistering, almost like Painkiller. Others are more mid-paced, but there's a very noticeable intensity all the way through the album. Riot is one of those classic bands that wear their influences on their sleeve, and offer up influences for all the younger bands out there. If you like speed metal, you'll like this. Period.

Thundersteel (1987)

Eastern European METAL

Two albums coming from our friends in Russia and Hungary today. Kruiz is from Russia, forming while the country was still under communist rule, and having to dodge some of the regulations of the government in order to release their material. The band went through a few different styles, but their album I'm uploading today (a self-titled effort) is pure speed metal, and is mega awesome. On one of their long-lost demos, this band actually recorded a song at 318 bpm. None of the songs on this album get that fast, of course, because studio albums should be coherent. But don't expect a snoozy, atmospheric trip.

Our other band is Pokolgép, from Hungary. They were one of the first Hungarian metal bands, and are still putting out albums to this day. Their style is a form of traditional heavy metal with some speed and power influences thrown around. This album was released right after a major line-up change, and yet ended up being one of the best albums they ever put out. Highly recommended.

Kruiz - s/t (1988)
Pokolgép - Adj Új Erõt (1991)