On Top-Top Heavy

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
2011

Don't let the album cover fool you into thinking this is some sort of sleaze rock release. Far from it! This three-piece band are another fine example of throwback metal. By way of the album cover you'd think that this would be a waste of time. Yet again this is why I preach the right art for the right band. Here we have a group spoon feed stuff like Motorhead, Saxon, Accept, Judas Priest, Malice, Dio, Metallica, Grim Reaper and Helloween. The band has even been compared to cult acts like Obsession. So this band has some serious metal chops. With that about as sleazy as this thing might get is the subtle nods of appreciation towards early Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Scorpions, Ratt, Dokken and W.A.S.P. Even then it is only the hard rock essence of those groups and not the glitz and glam. This album is a solid debut from a group bound to get better with age. Listening to this one is sure to remind you of heavy metal's heyday when you raced down to Mom and Pops record store looking for the latest albums from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Armored Saint, Loudness, Saxon, Megadeth and Iron Maiden. Back when the genre was still dangerous a band like On Top would have been on top of the metal charts thanks to this foot stomping metal romp. This is another band I am excited about watching grow into a serious contender.