Heavy Metal Breakdown

“…now you know, the shoe was good, heavy metal…”

While at the starting line of the German scene that was breeding bands like salmon, it always seemed to me Grave Digger were crammed into the backseat, fighting for leg room with Sinner, Tyran Pace, Living Death, and Avenger while Helloween, Running Wild, Destruction, and Sodom took turns shifting and honking the horn (can you imagine when one had to take a leak? And those spikes…?). Just as long as they were running over S.A.D.O., I wouldn’t care. Scorpions, Accept, and Faithful Breath were in the limo up ahead, and FB had to buy their way into that one with the longevity card.

Most bands that are usually described by using keynotes from other bands don’t usually set the world afire, and durability doesn’t always run parallel to popularity. For instance, characterizing the vocals as akin to the higher tone of Flemming Rönsdorf/Artillery rubbed to a pulp by the scratchiness of Udo, or read the first paragraph of Ultraboris’s review for another example. In any case, Chris Boltendahl seems to gargle road salt regularly and is an acquired taste to say the least.

Musically, the quartet gallivants a spectrum of moods and tempos. They don’t mind traveling the mid-paced vein as heard in the ominously starting “Back From War”, “Shoot Her Down”, and slightly unorthodox “Tyrant”. Tracks like “Stormin’ the Brain” and the title cut lure the band into the more spirited realm, usually locked in by a catchy chorus or nifty vocal/rhythm combo. “Legion of the Lost” is powerful in its counter offensive of menacing acoustical intro and hard-boiled rhythm. Keyboards make an appearance in the awkward “Yesterday”, a ballady piece laced with more acoustics, power chords, and still scraping vox that shears any iota of charm from the mix. And when the band really pulls itself up by its bootstraps, it can tear into a Living Death speed metal gait as lp launcher “Headbanging Man” and aggressive “Heart Attack” as its broken-riffed chorus will attest. “I Wanna Rock You” reminds me of something anthemic the band Steel Dragon would perform in the flick Rock Star, especially when Boltendahl is belting out the title all by his lonesome. Lyrics, well, resemble the blurb at the top of the review.

While Heavy Metal Breakdown has its rugged magnetism for some, it was never driving my car, nor was it ever in the front seat. The vocals turned off quite a few, much like Living Death’s debut but with less of a fingernails-on-a-chalkboard claim, and for me, saying it’s mildly special is giving it a handful of roses.

I just want to be there when the cars at the start of the review stop for snacks or leg stretching or to see Angel Ripper chase members of Cutty Sark around the parking lot.