Crime Scene-Vengeance EP

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Cologne, Germany's Crime Scene plays a hard & heavy brand of (somewhat sleazy) rock and roll on  "Vengeance EP". Starting off with the heavy rock of "Hey", this four-track EP almost sounds as if it could have come from Los Angeles, California...circa 1985. For those of you who might not get the reference point, Crime Scene could have been Germany's answer to Guns N' Roses. It's not a perfect match, but at nearly 17 minutes in length, "Vengeance EP" certainly tips it's hat to Axl and company! From the looks of things this brand new EP appears to be Crime Scene's studio debut. It might not be perfect, but thanks to the strength of numbers like "Hey", "Sex Drive", and "Back To Cologne" it is a fun listen. This one is recommended to anyone that likes like hard rock with a little bit of sleaze and muscle.

Freeways-Cold Front

Heavy Chains Records
2017

Freeways is a (N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired) hard rock/heavy metal band from Canada that takes it's cues from the likes of Thin Lizzy, UFO, and Blue Öyster Cult (to name just a few). Back in early September of 2017 the group released the 3-track EP "Cold Front". In addition to the outstanding title cut, "Cold Front" includes the radio-friendly songs "One For The Road" and "New Drag City". Well-written and featuring three songs that could all be considered strong singles(!), "Cold Front" serves as the band's studio debut. It is available in cassette tape, vinyl, and as a digital download. Given how incredible the whole thing is, "Cold Front" would have made my Best of 2017 list had I created one! In fact I feel so passionate album this EP (it's so freaking good!) that I bought it on vinyl and cassette tape!! That is how much I love "Cold Front"!!! Available to buy at the above highlighted link, Freeways first release it one of the greatest hard rock/heavy metal debut recordings out there. This is a catchy EP from a band that has the potential to be the next big thing out of Canada. Hopefully 2018 will bring a full-length album from this incredible band, but in the meantime I am just going to play this EP none-stop!!!

Arkham Witch-"Get Thothed-Vol. II"

Metal On Metal Records
2018

Arkham Witch* is a UK-based heavy/doom metal band that was formed in 2009 by vocalist/bassist Simon (The Lamp of Thoth) and drummer Emily (The Lamp of Thoth, ex-ex-Syteria). As of this writing, Arkham Witch is rounded out by guitarists Aldo "Dodo" Doom (ex-Let 'Em Burn, ex-Gods of Hellfire, ex-Diavolo, ex-Ironstorm) and Dirty John (ex-Let 'Em Burn, ex-BloodStream). This six-track EP, "Get Thothed -Vol. III", comes two or so years after the release of the single "Frost and Fire 2016" (a very cool Cirith  Ungol cover that can be downloaded for free by heading here.) Just in case the title isn't enough of a giveaway, this release is the 3rd (and ultimately last) one in a series of EPs where Arkham Witch plays The Lamp Of Thoth material. In the case of "Get Thothed-Vol. III" we are talking about previously-unreleased TLOT material. I'm not sure if all three of the EPs are like this (covers of previously-unreleased material from TLOT), but this particular one is. If my notes are correct (and they should be) the line-up for this EP was: Simon (vocals), Aldo "Dodo" Doom (guitars), Dirty John (guitars), Jayanta Brahma (bass), and Emily Ningauble (drums). As previously stated there are only six songs on this EP. That is all fine and dandy I suppose, but when you have a couple of long tracks like "The Beast and the Black Art" (a blazing hot hard & heavy/metallic doom cut that clocks in at 11:13 and is a fave moment of mine!) and "This Wretched World Forlorn" (this heavier than hell/slow and steady doom smasher runs ten minutes and forty eight seconds!) should you really call this disc a EP? If anything it is more like an expanded EP. And it is a f**king good one at that! Clocking in at over fifty minutes(!), "Get Thothed-Vol. II" starts off with the heavy & hard doom rocker that is "Emperor of Dreams". From there we are treated to one sick track after another with "Lord of the Midnight Hour" and "Wizard of the Gloves" being two of my other favorite numbers on this devilishly-good EP. The seven plus minutes long "Lord of the Midnight Hour" is a grand mixture of doom metal, N.W.O.B.H.M., and occult metal. It has a sinister vibe that should appeal to both old school doom rock/metal fans and anyone that likes the more twisted side of devil rock**. Running just over the seven minute mark, "Wizard of the Gloves" starts off sounding like classic Metallica before slowly morphing it's way into a doom-laden hard rock number that would make Ozzy proud! It might not be the most technical number of the lot, but there is no denying it's catchy nature. Closing things out on this extended-EP we have "The Marriage of the Ghouls". At 8:21 it carries a very familiar sound, but I wouldn't want to spoil it for anything by reveling too much. It is another one of those slow and steady burners that suddenly comes to life at the very end of the song. Fairly solid overall, the song works as the EP's last track. Packaged in a cardboard sleeve with a two-page insert and a twelve-page booklet with lyrics for all of the EPs, "Get Thothed -Vol. III" is a nice gift for fans of the band as well as anyone that likes top-tier heavy/doom metal. It is also a sweet CD to listen to while we patiently wait for album number four from the guys and gal in Arkham Witch. Speaking of which, when will that drop again?



* It's a funny thing to think about now, but I didn't like Arkham Witch the first time I heard them (link). Their one track, "For Metal", appeared on the Metal On Metal Records' sampler "Compendium Of Metal Vol. 5" and I thought it was dull. Fast forward a few months and the group's sophomore album, "Legions of the Deep" blew me away! That just goes to show the sometimes you can be wrong about first admissions. You can read my review of that album by heading here. If you don't already have it, "Legion of the Deep" comes highly-recommended as it makes for a must-have addition to any (hard & heavy) doom metal collections!!


**By "devil rock" I mean the kind of bands and artists that would use the image of Satan to shock people.

Free Metal Monday: Röttweiler-The Beast has emerged

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Röttweiler is based in Guayaquil, Ecuador and plays a (fuzzed-over) version of garage hard rock/heavy metal. Released on February 22, 2018, "The Beast has emerged" appears to be the first release from this sloppy but oddly intriguing act. Since lyrics, music and production come courtesy of Hernán Verduga Jr.
this one has the look and feel of a one man studio band. With points subtracted for the (ill-advised) spoken-word vocals, Röttweiler does have the potential to be something solid...it just needs some work. Either way the EP is free to download.

Free Metal Monday: Braindëth-Cock Rock & Roll

Independent/Self-Release
2018

Heavy metal/rock and roll band Braindëth hails from Massachusetts and is fronted by a guy name Count Ingteeth. The aptly-titled "Cock Rock & Roll" is the first EP from Count Ingeeth and crew. What it lacks in production quality* it more than makes up from thanks to it's love of both Motörhead** and old-school funk rock/metal! Released back on February 18th and available for free at the above link, Braindëth's four-track EP is wild & crazy like the band members themselves!! Hopefully this is just the first of many great recordings to come from this hard & heavy rock/metal band.


*"Cock Rock & Roll" sounds as if it was recorded live in in a local dive bar!

**The title cut alone is straight-up Motörhead worship!

Free Metal Monday: Priest Cop-Crucify This

Self-Release/Independent
2015

The interestingly-named Priest Cop released "Crucify This" back in March of 2015. It's a free EP from a Derby-based heavy rock/garage metal band that combined elements of classic 80's metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. into their crash and bang sound. It doesn't look as if this group is still together, but for a fee EP this isn't all that bad.

Infiltration-Nuclear Strike Warning

Wornholedeath
2018

Infiltration is a (brutal) death metal band that hails from Saint Petersburg and is made up of musicians with ties to such groups as Chamber of Torture, Free at Last, and Hellbomb. Formed in the spring of 2017, this harsh & head crushing Russian band is influenced by classic death metal acts like Bolt Thrower, Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, and Six Feet Under. This 5-track EP serves as Infiltration's debut and it was originally released back in October of 2017. Now making the rounds once again thanks to Wormholdeath, "Nuclear Strike Warning" is a must-have for fans of 80's and 90's death metal. Short and compact, old school-leaning death like this never really goes out of style. A full-length LP from this Russian group would be a think of beauty. Here's to hoping that it happens!

Dam-Age "Thirteen Bullets in My Head"

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Dam-Age is a thrash metal band from Ukraine, Kharkov whose line-up is unknown. The recently-released "Thirteen Bullets in My Head" seems to be the group's debut, but that is only a guess on my part. Seeing as there is little information to go by when it comes to these underground thrashers, Dam-Age could be a brand new act or one that has been around for awhile. Who really knows? Certainly not Facebook or the Metal Archives. They were no help when it came to the who, what, when, and where of this (wreck-inducing) merchants of metal. And I didn't have any luck with the time honored tradition of doing a "google search". So yeah, Dam-Age are a bit of a mystery. At any rate, one dollar is all that it costs to purchase this 4-track EP. In my eyes that it a steal. Here's why. With "Thirteen Bullets in My Head" you get this underground take on (early) Megadeth and it's all from a band that is (slightly) rough & raw around the edges. It's almost as if you were to take a really solid garage metal band and then you mixed in elements of  gripping thrash and vintage Megadeth. Whoever they are, the members of Dam-Age know what they are doing as far as songwriting and overall musicianship goes. The production is perfectly suited to this type of metal and there are no real complaints as far as the mix is concerned. Topped off by some sick lead vocals and great guitar solos, Dam-Age's new EP is a fun listen that lives up to it's wicked album art! To quote a line from 1987's Robocop, "I'd buy that for a dollar!".

hell bent-EP

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Formed in 2015 and comprised of current & former members of Dropdead, Ulcer, Paindriver, Straight to Hell, Neon Bitches, and Hard Drug, hell bent is a thrash metal/(hardcore-tinged) crossover band from Providence, Rhode Island. The self-explanatory "EP" is the latest release from this (d-beat-infused) fierce as fuck outfit. It is a six-song EP that clocks in at just under thirteen minutes. Other than perhaps the EP's length*, hell bent's new recording is fault free from start to finish! With it's old school-street metal & (hardcore-tinged) crossover meets underground thrash metal, "EP" is a great introduction to this tough as nails group. In addition to being a digital release, "EP" is available to purchase on cassette tape. That's rather fitting and all seeing as this EP has the feel of a underground gem from the heyday of tape-trading! If gritty and raw street-legit thrash metal/crossover/hardcore is your bread and butter, hell bent is bound to be your jam!


*As good as these guys are, hell bent's debut should have been a full-length LP!

Anialator-Rise to Supremacy

Xtreem Music
2018

There is some  background explanation that I obviously have to toss out here first. No, I did not misspell the band name because this is not the long running Canadian thrash band Annihilator, but rather a return of the Corpus Christi based Anialator. This band knocked out a few EPs and demos back in the 80's before some of the members went on to form Sufferance. Anialator reformed in recent years, re-released their old material and now have a brand spanking new EP set to go out in the new year. Okay, let's get at this sucker and see where they are at now. Much like their old material this is very raw which contains both positives and negatives. This is old style thrash with some early death metal vocals leading the soar throated way. I admire the energy, but the first two tracks suffer from low production and quite honestly the style on both is so similar that the two blend together much more than they should. Track three "Rise again" has much personality with  a twisted riff, some pounding drums and good enough variation to the vocals to make it fairly memorable. Track four 'Thick skinned" slows down some, but heaviness level keeps the intensity going. The closer "Black" races ahead with more of a death metal sound than any of the previous tracks. Unfortunately it lacks the tempo changes of the previous two songs. What we have is an uneven but mostly comeback album. Fans of old style thrash might like it, but there's definitely some work to be done.

Märvel-The Hills Have Eyes

The Sign Records

2017

Märvel is a Swedish rock trio that was formed in 2002 while it's members were still in high-school. Those three individuals would  be vocalist/guitarist John Steen (The King), bassist Ulrik Bostedt (Speedo), and drummer Tony Samuelsson (The Vicar). Released at the tail end of March, "The Hills Have Eyes" appears to be the group's latest offering to date as well as their forth studio recording. The EP includes five original compositions and a cover of W.A.S.P.'s "L.O.V.E. Machine". On paper Märvel's influences are over the group, but musically-speaking these guys primarily sound like either a garage rock version of Kiss or Thin Lizzy. Even the cover of "L.O.V.E. Machine" sounds like something that Kiss would put out. For what it is and where it stands in the great scheme of garage rock, "The Hills Have Eyes" is alright. While I would like to hear something more original from this Swedish trio fans of Thin Lizzy and Kiss might just get a kick out of this EP. 

Coffin Hunters-Coffin Lord

Self-Release/Independent
2017


Formed in early July of 2016 and comprised of Eric (vox), Sean (guitars), Brian (bass), and Jorge (drums), Sonoma County, California's Coffin Hunters have blown me away with their debut EP! It is entitled "Coffin Lord" and at 19 or so minutes in length Coffin Hunters' first studio recording finds me wondering how long it will take before some label comes in and swoops this young band up as their next big thing!! Opening up with the N.W.O.B.H.M. meets rogue garage metal rocker "Petrol God", "Coffin Lord" expertly combines elements of classic heavy metal, doom metal, proto-metal, and eighties metal (see note below). Over the course of the EP's four numbers you will discover a band that is capable of completely rewiring your previously held views on what heavy metal is and what it all means. When the Black Sabbath meets (solo) Dio title track (which just so happens to clock in at over nine minutes!) closes this EP out it is all but a guarantee that you will not only hit play again, but that you'll find yourself with a gaping mouth and the pondering question as to where has this metal band been all your life! As a fan of heavy metal I couldn't be happier about this group if I tried. I love everything about this band's sound and style. I am completely blown away by this recording! That's my reaction as somewhat who loves the genre first and foremost. I've always lived by that code (fan first and writer second).  All of which makes me ashamed of this next part. I would never want to be someone to jump on the bandwagon at the very last second, but based upon this group's EP here...well, this is a winning lottery ticket just waiting to be cashed. If I wasn't a single father of two that is baring making ends meet I would throw every dollar that I had behind this group! With the right marketing behind them and the proper support system in place we could easily be looking at the next big thing in metal. It kills me to say that I see dollar signs in front of this four-piece, but man alive, Coffin Hunters are on FIRE! The group's debut was just released this month and it is free to download on CD Baby. If it was me though I would buy it on CD at four dollars. As far as straight-up heavy metal at it's finest goes, "Coffin Lord" is like the "No Life 'Til Leather" of this generation. That's a bold statement I realize, but I hear new metal bands all the time and this California band just screams "SUCCESS"! I've said it before and I will say it again. If I had one wish in life (obviously other than a better life for my kids) it would be to have my own record label for when I stumble across acts like this. As it stands now I am just going to be happy that I heard this band before a million others. And when they do get signed I do hope that it is by a label that believes in them as much as I do. 


*By "eighties" metal I mean more than just the U.S. metal scene of yesterday. In Coffin Hunters I hear traces of what was happening worldwide during those glory days! It's not just in the U.S. and Europe, but everywhere that young people were picking up guitars and reinventing heavy metal as this vibrant new movement. On the band's debut I pick up on (vintage) Swedish heavy metal as much as I do the first wave of post-N.W.O.B.H.M. British metal groups. There's so much to discover about this branch of the group's sound. When you're looking at just this area it seems endless. Imagine how epic it is when these sounds merge successful with traditional heavy metal and vintage doom. It is unreal. I am super stoked about this band and what they will sound like as they grow and evolve. Wow....


You can find Coffin Hunter's online by heading here.

Free Metal Monday: Nomanic-Nomanic

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Nomanic is a up-and-coming heavy/thrash metal band from Orange County, California that has "Huge potential for success!" written all over it! Members include Ryan Rangel, Chris Bramlett, Eddie Chacon, Morgen Chiaravolloti, and Nick Wheatley. The group's (highly-recommended) self-titled EP, which was just released last month and is free to download, showcases a hungry and talented young band that won't be pigeonholed and isn't afraid to shake up the thrash metal scene! While the EP itself is a bit rough around the edges production-wise, "Nomanic" features strong material that is expertly performed by a group of skilled (if seemingly sincere) musicians. With one eye pointed toward perfection, Nomanic has all of the tools needed to go the distance...especially if they are as good live as they are on tape.

DMP-1922

Aggressive Rhythm
2017

Formed in 2014 and originally known as Witchtripper, New York hard rock/stoner rock/doom metal band DMP (Death Metal Pope) just released it's second EP last week. The gnarly three-track recording is entitled "1922" and with a run-time of twelve minutes and twenty three seconds it serves as the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2016's "Harvest". For those of you who are keeping count that makes two EPs in the two years that this Long Island-based group has been known as DMP. If you ask me that is a damn good speed rate for these (hard & heavy) occult riff-rockers! Speaking of all things occult, Pentagram's "Forever My Queen" is given the royal treatment thanks to the members of DMP. It's a picture-perfect fit next to the group's two original compositions, "13 Devils" and "Lord of the New Depression". Self-dubbed "Halloween Rock" on the group's bandcamp page, "1922" is the sound of one ghoulish metal group that has it all figured out! From this point forward I plan to follow DMP on their Facebook page.

Stallion's Mane-Stallion's Mane

Independent/Self-Release
2017

Released on January 19th, "Stallion's Mane" is the debut EP from the Canadian heavy metal band of the same name. It is available on cassette tape and as a digital download. The cassette version is limited to a mere 50 copies(!) and the two songs on this EP are "Antimatter Siege" and "Wasteland Rebels". Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Stallion's Mane is a bit of a mystery as there are no members listed on the group's bandcamp page and there doesn't appear to any sort of website associated with the name! That being said, "Stallion's Mane" is the sound of 100% pure heavy metal done right. It has style and it has class.  There is obviously some serious talent going on behind the scene. At only two dollars to download (and $5.00 plus shipping for the cassette) this nine minute plus EP is far too good to not share!! Hopefully this is just the starting point for this mysterious outfit...

N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday: Rock Goddess-It's More Than Rock And Roll

Bite You To Death Records
2017

Formed in 1977 by sisters Jody (lead vocals/guitars) and Julie Turner (drums/backing vocals), Rock Goddess is a legendary N.W.O.B.H.M. band from London, England that has only gotten better with age! The group's brand new 3-track EP, "It's More Than Rock And Roll", is all the proof that ones needs to make such a declaration. Backed up by longtime bassist Tracey Lamb (ex-Girlschool), Jody and Julie Turner reaffirm that there is no age restriction on rocking out! Just click on the official video of the title track to hear it for yourself!! It is posted right below this article and it is everything that I love about (straight-up) heavy metal! As someone who discovered Rock Goddess by way of the group's 1983 self-titled debut, "It's More Than Rock And Roll" makes me fall further in love with the exceptional talent that this trio continues to showcase. And that is just the EP's first track! Besides the (instant-classic!) title track you have "Back Off" and "We're All Metal". All three numbers offer a slightly different take on heavy rock/heavy metal and they are all equally suburb. With the self-explanatory "Back Off" the members of Rock Goddess put their feet down and make a stand. This stand is aided by heavy riffs and a metallic edge that just screams "Crank me up!" and "Listen up and listen good!". It's also the perfect way for this London trio to reaffirm their well-deserved place in the metal scene. Of course fans of Rock Goddess realize that this status statement isn't necessary. There has never been a question about what Rock Goddess means to the scene. If anything this just tells today's youth that this is where it all started. It was bands like Rock Goddess that broke down the doors and made it clear that heavy metal shouldn't be about your sex, but your talent and skill set! Just in case that isn't obvious enough to everyone in the metal community, "We're All Metal" spells out the fact that heavy metal is about the music and the lifestyle it fuels. I've always said that the heavy metal community is one big family and "We're All Metal" speaks to that bound. Due out on May 19th, "It's More Than Rock And Roll" is heavy metal at it's finest. If there is any fault to be found with this EP then it has to be it's length. After a couple of spins of "It's More Than Rock And Roll" you just can't help but want to hear more. These three songs remind you of the staying power that is Rock Goddess and exactly what new music means for the fans. Hopefully this EP will start the ball rolling again for this N.W.O.B.H.M. outfit and we won't have to wait so long in-between releases!

                                               

You can pre-order the digital version of Rock Goddess' new EP by heading here. Meanwhile if you head this way you can pre-order physical copies of the EP.  The first 500 copies will be signed and numbered!

Open Burn-Open Burn

Independent/Self-Release
2017

Formed in 2016 and featuring lead vocals courtesy of Eric Johns (ex-First Born, ex-Simple Aggression), Open Burn is a really cool moniker for this Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati-based heavy/power metal band! I am honestly surprised that these four guys were the first outfit to utilize such a name. It's perfectly suited for the metal scene as a whole. Does it reflect this band's style? Eh, probably not. Influenced by traditional heavy metal and the U.S. power scene of old, Open Burn is not quite as hostile or aggressive as the name would suggest. What they might lack in extremism they more than make up for in other areas. With the Dio-like vocals of Eric John up front and center, Open Burn plays with finesse and extreme prowess. The group's technical ability is never in question and neither is their professionalism. This five-track EP could probably be described as a cross between (solo) Dio and Metal Church's first two albums. For Open Burn this is the best way to introduce themselves as it is all hits and no misfires. "Open Burn" serves as the debut release for this up-and-coming band that just so happens to includes a couple of members with ties to the progressive power metal group Lethal*. Those three individuals would be Dell Hull (guitars), Glen Cook (bass), and Jerry Hartman (drums). Apparently Open Burn is as a side project for the guys in Lethal. Based upon what we have here on this EP, Lethal might want to consider taking a back seat to this hot new project! If the group's full-length debut (which is supposedly in the works as I type) is as good as this EP is then it could be a legitimate contender for "2017's Best Metal Debut Album"!  Ultimately only time will tell if that actually happens, but thanks to "Open Burn" all the signs are there!!



*As in the same Lethal that gave us 1990's "Programed".

Lucidreams-Ballox

Transcending Obscurity India  
2017

Lucidreams is a long-standing heavy metal band from Indian that is currently comprised of Vineesh Venugopal (lead vocals), Deepak Vijaykumar (guitars), Jayanth Sridhar (guitars), Narayan Shrouthy (bass), and drummer Steve Jaby (Stephen Anthony). Originally formed under the name Avalanche, "Ballox" finds this veteran outfit paying homage to the heavy metal heroes of yesterday while simultaneously forging ahead with their unparalleled take on true heavy metal! As far as that first part goes, Lucidreams' primarily influences are (early) solo Ozzy, classic Megadeth (especially in regards to the smashing guitar performances of  Deepak Vijaykumar & Jayanth Sridhar!), (post-Ozzy Osbourne) Black Sabbath, and (80's-era) Judas Priest. No bones about it. That is all killer in it's own right. Especially since Lucidreams strives extremely hard to make those influences work for the betterment of the band. With that being said, Lucidream's new EP flat-out rules because of the group's own distinctive edge and the obvious love that they have for real, honest to goodness (all natural with no artificial ingredients!) heavy metal! After you factor in the awesome vocal delivery of Vineesh Venugopal and this band's first-class rhythm section...well, "Ballox" is one of the best examples of true heavy metal out there! And just so there are no questions about it here's the deal. In no way, shape, or form is Lucidreams a New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal band. And they are not a vintage metal revivalist act. "Ballox" is the sound of an actual heavy metal band performing real heavy metal. In this day and age real heavy metal isn't impossible to find, but it is hardly ever as grand as this EP is! Available for pre-order by clicking on the link above, "Ballox" is electrifying and it makes me pumped-up for the future of Lucidreams. Let's all hope and prayer that a full-length album won't be that far off.

King of None-Troubles by the Score

Self-Release/Independent
2016

King of None is a riff-heavy & beer-fueled band from Finland that just released it's second EP, "Troubles by the Score", back on November 1st. The five-piece group, which is lead by emotionally-rich vocalist Miiro and (sadly) appears to be relatively-unknown outside of their home country, first hit the scene in 2015 with their self-titled EP. That particular recording was apparently "stoner rock 101 for beginners" whereas this gritty four-song EP is seventies rock and hard rock-infused stoner rock with depth and a great deal of integrity. For these self-dubbed "waster rockers", "Troubles by the Score" is the right sound to get them noticed by not just fans, but proper A&R reps. Seeing as their new EP is a name-your-price download, King of None should have little trouble reaching either party....

Badmotorfinger-Heroes

Logic(il)logic Records / Andromeda Dischi
2016

 "Heroes" is a brand new EP from Italy hard rock/heavy metal band Badmotorfinger. It follows the 2013 album "It's Not the End" (which you can read about here) and finds Luigi "Sange" Sangermano (Sange:Main:Machine, Old Flame, ex-Tarchon Fist) taking over lead vocals for the departed  Il Reverendo (Stefano Altobelli). Named after the classic Soundgarden album, Badmotorfinger also includes guitarists Federico "HeavyRico" Mengoli (ex-ex-Tarchon Fist) and Alessandro "Alex" Mengoli as well as bassist Massimiliano "Tommy" Tommesani and drummer Fabio "Barra" Bussolari. On the group's new EP there are three new tracks ("Hidden Heroes", "Needle In My Vein", and "Badmotorfinger") as well as three tracks that originally appeared on the group's debut album, "It’s Not The End" ("No Second Chance", "Afterlife", and "Rebel"). The three old tracks have been "carefully reworked, re-recorded and rearranged". As far as the old tracks go, "No Second Chance" is a new and improved version that is razor sharp(!) while "Afterlife" and "Rebel" are acoustic takes on what were original electrified numbers. "Afterlife", which features a duet between Sange and Viviana "LaViv" Cappelli, is arguably the better of the two acoustic tracks, but "Rebel" (with it's country rock vibe!) is a solid enough number that closes this EP up on a quite pleasant note. Those are the "old" tracks though so what do we make of the "new" ones? Starting off with the HEAVY-hitter "Hidden Heroes", Badmotorfinger's latest material shows off the group's natural growth as metal band ("Needle In My Vein") while still retaining that familiar (and much loved!) hard rock and roll sound ("Badmotorfinger")! Both tracks are over the four minute mark, but whereas "Needle In My Vein" is raw heavy metal with some (old-school) thrash touches, "Badmotorfinger" is pure hard rock love and joy! Much like their early material, "Badmotorfinger" pays homage to the one and only Motörhead! As a longtime fan of Lemmy and company I can't help but LOVE that fact, but then again there is plenty of love to go around when it comes to this Italian band's latest recording!! With the exception of the two acoustic songs, each number on "Heroes" offers a slightly different take on true heavy metal. You've got classic metal ("Hidden Heroes"), heavy metal thrash ("Needle In My Vein"), hard & heavy ("Badmotorfinger"), and even some punk-infused metal ("No Second Chance"). Each and every number here works (including the two unplugged tracks!) and that ultimately leads to a new recording that should make people stand up and notice this five-piece band. For an act that originally started out in 2006 as a cover band, Badmotorfinger has come a long way from it's humble beginnings. One would think that this band would be bigger than it is right now, but things happen for a reason I guess. Hopefully the EP "Heroes" sets some good things in motion for Badmotorfinger as they really do deserve a bigger and better fan-base as well as way more press than they are getting now!