Legendry-Dungeon Crawler

Non Nobis Productions
2017

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the home base of operations for epic traditional/power metal band Legendry. Formed in 2015 and currently comprised of vocalist/guitarist Vidarr (Defeat, ex-Bare-Sark), bassist Evil St. Clair, and drummer Kicker, Legendry has two full-length albums and one demo to it's name. The eight song "Dungeon Crawler" is the latest recording from this (classic metal loving) trio and it arrives one year after the group's well-received debut album, "Mists of Time". The epic 10-minute title track opens up Legendry's newest release in grand fashion. It name checks not only the title of the band's 2016 (Mists of Time), but one of the group's inspirations (Pagan Altar). Other influences include Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Brocas Helm, Omen, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Yes, and Lords of the Crimson Alliance (whose "Swords of Zeus" they cover!). Along with compelling lyrics and the album's vintage vibe (especially in regards to the album's production), "Dungeon Crawler" features some truly fantastic music! On a few of the tracks the band is joined by guest keyboardist Drea, but overall it's Vidarr, Evil St. Clair, and Kicker that are responsible for all of the great metal on display here. With it's splendid mixture of epic metal, American power metal, classic metal, and seventies-infused prog(!), "Dungeon Crawler" is a smashing success and one album that I am glad to have stumbled upon. With bands like Legendry alive and well the true heavy metal scene is in good hands!

Möwer-Möwer

Self-Released/Independent
2017

It's been three years since I last talked about them, but Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Möwer provide the missing link between Motörhead and noisy punk rock. This two-track recording is the group's latest release and it is meant to kill a bit of time before a full-length album drops. Once that happens (a full-length banger!) then all bets are off as far as I am concerned! In the meantime this band should only be approached with extreme caution. Built by beer drinking speed freaks as a tribute to Lemmy and all things LOUD, "Möwer" is the same way. Approach it with caution because it is a mandatory download! 

Lady Beast-Metal Immortal

Infernö Records
2016

Lady Beast is five-piece metal band that hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has been active since 2009. It was sometime back in 2013 when I first discovered this N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired traditional heavy metal group and their 2012 self-titled release and I've been a huge fan ever since. Due to drop in a few short days, "Metal Immortal" is not only Lady Beast's latest recording, but arguably their best one to date! This aptly-titled EP picks right up where last year's "Lady Beast II" left off while simultaneously showcasing this group's remarkable ability to make huge musical strides between each new body of work. Whether or not that has anything to do with the additional of new lead guitarist Andy Ramage (Oh Shit They're Going to Kill Us, ex-Relique, ex-Vrolok (live), ex-Argus) this time around is open to debate, but it's not as if his rock-solid skills hurt any when it comes to such explosive numbers as "Metal Martyr", "The Devil's Due", and "Lady of the Battle"! With four new tracks in all, "Metal Immortal" is as good as it gets when it comes to an epic band delivering top-notch heavy metal and that is one statement that I do not post in jest! From the word GO (!) this hard-hitting (if sadly underrated) band has been taking care of business and it is has never been as obvious as it is now that they want the world and nothing less! Listening to a well-constructed EP like this should give you no doubt as to the ability of musicians Chris Tritschler (rhythm guitar), Greg Colaizzi (bass), and Adam Ramage (drums), but as with every every other recording that Lady Beast has put out there is one undeniable highlight. Naturally that would be the unmistakable voice of front-woman Deborah Levine. This versatile lead singer is hand's down one of the best in the business and her enthusiastic attitude and uncompromising approach to the mic is simply beyond description! Deborah Levine pumps extra Grade A rocket fuel into what is already one hell of an aggressive heavy metal band and in the process she makes me reconsider how I feel about the city of Pittsburgh itself!! As a long-suffering fan of the Cleveland Browns that's not an easy thing to do, but given the undeniable chemistry of this amazing singer and her band and this EP's unbelievable quality I'm willing to let bygones be bygones!! Soon to be available on vinyl, CD, and in digital, "Metal Immortal" is a must-have release from one band that really should start to become better known for just that reason alone. Or to put it another way, Lady Beast is very close to the point where you could blindly buy one it's recordings and expect nothing but the absolute best. At this point in time I honestly cannot think of too many bands out there that I would say that about....

Lady Beast-Lady Beast II

Cobra Cabana Records/Inferno Records
2015

Lady Beast is a female-fronted traditional heavy metal band that is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and influenced by both classic metal bands and the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene. The obviously-titled "Lady Beast II" is the groups sophomore release as well as being the follow-up to 2013's "Lady Beast". That album made my best of list for 2013 and this album would make my best of list for 2015. That is if I make one. As of late I'm not very good at following up on things. Case in point this album! I actually got a promo for "Lady Beast II" way back in April* on this year, but in typical fashion I dropped the ball as far as my coverage of the LP was concerned. Long story short I had started my review and then I was waiting for the official word as to when I could post it. While that was happening I scrapped my initial write-up as I was displeased with it. I'm sure you can guess what happened next. Yep, I forgot all about reviewing it and as spring turned into summer the album was pushed to the back of the pile. Naturally that proved to be a mistake. Especially as this album happens to be a real treat! As always the band is lead by vocalist Deborah Levine (she's awesome!) and on "Lady Beast II" this Pittsburgh five piece mixes together the best parts of classic heavy metal, hard rock and the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene of yesteryear. Even though it's not as cut and dry as this might sound, Lady Beast  could be seen as a female-fronted Iron Maiden whose choice collection of influences ranges from Judas Priest to Doro! The Iron Maiden appreciation does get a little thick at times, but it's hard to fault Deborah Levine and her bandmates as we are talking about one of the greatest bands of all time! With two full-length albums and a crap load of (positively-received) live shows to their name now this is one traditional heavy metal band that deserves a bigger audience. For now Lady Beast will just have to be content with the knowledge that they are keeping the dream that is true heavy metal alive. There's that and then there is the fact that they are offering hope for those of us who easily become cynical thanks to all the shitty modern metal recordings that flood the airwaves! Between those two observations it's an easy decision to recommend Lady Beast's latest release! 

*"Lady Beast II" was released on March 28, 2015 on Cobra Cabana Records and on June 21, 2015 on Inferno Records.

Forgotten Gems: Möwer-Bastard Bröthers

Cruel Noise Records
2012

Stop me if you've heard this one before. First, a punk rock band from Pittsburgh (featuring two brothers in Craig and Sean Simpson) discovers that yes, it's alright if you play crazy fast (thanks in no small part to stumbling upon D.R.I.'s classic album, "Crossover"). Afterwards, no doubt through divine inspiration (because after all, Lemmy is God!*), said band is introduced to the almighty Motörhead and, one quick name change later, Möwer is born! "Bastard Bröthers", which was recorded at the Grease Diner, is actually Möwer's second release and (in all seriousness here folks!) it's a gloriously sleazy ride towards rock and roll damnation! It can be checked out here:http://mower.bandcamp.com/album/bastard-br-thers and I just want to give a quick thank you/shout out to the site Rust Belt Hammer ( http://rustbelthammer.com/) which I recently discovered. Covering music from my general part of the country, Rust Belt Hammer actually interviewed this crazy Penn.-based punk n' metal act which is how I was able to gather so much "back-story" on these brothers and their "Sex, drugs and rock n' roll" lifestyle! The groovy "Bastard Bröthers" is available as a digital download (the price is only $1!) and/or on cassette ($4!) so if you've every wanted to know what Motörhead would sound like if they were a Pittsburgh punk n' metal act now is your chance!

*If you've never seen it then check out the movie "Airheads"!