Ahhh traditional heavy metal. I listen to bands like Maiden, Sabbath, and Priest because they have such a huge catalog of classic albums. I was a very casual metal fan in 2007, and didn't know about many modern metal bands. I was happy with all of those 80s metal bands (hell, even a hair metal band or two...that's all, I swear). Then I decided my collection wasn't nearly big enough, so I asked all of my metalhead friends for their modern favorites in metal...no screaming please (I didn't come to love death metal yet). I was suggested Hardworlder, and I loved it, even though I had asked for more modern stuff.
Then I looked up more info on it. 2007. I stared at my computer screen in disbelief. It had sounded like I went back in time and was listening to a Maiden contemporary. Expect an interesting intro to the album, as The Return of Doctor Universe is full of odd sounding riffs and a few pauses. A little repetitive here, but after a little more than a minute, the real madness begins. Once Tiger! Tiger! begins, you're in for a wild ride. The vocals can only be described as ballsy and epic. One of the best voices to ever grace metal music. Tiger! Tiger!, a song based on "The Tyger", a poem by William Blake, is a shining diamond in the jewelery box of metal. The song shows off the amazing guitar work of Mike Scalzi (who is also the singer) together with Angelo Tringali. One awesomely fast guitar solo in the middle and one slow and melodic one for the last couple of minutes of the song. The ending solo is so good, it could be a song of its own!
This album has one specific cluster of songs that needs to be heard by all metal fans. Tracks 4 through 6 are Hardworlder, The Spoils, and Frankfurt-Hahn Airport Blues. When played back to back to back, they make for one huge song. Building on speed and raw talent, each song is different from the last, but they all fit together so well. They show off what the rest of the album has: Awesome solos surrounded by catchy riffs and Scalzi's amazing voice. My review does not do it justice. Only your own ear can fill you in on how monumental these songs are.
For the most part, the album is fast paced and heavy. A solo here, a solo there, a poetic lyric here, a solid riff there, and you have a rockin metal album. Even The Sea Wolf stands as a great song, despite the fact that it's a clean-guitar song. It displays their folky side, and that's a very good thing. The album also has two cover songs; a cover of Dearg Doom by Horslips, and a cover of Street Jammer by the band that influenced Slough Feg massively, Manilla Road. Both covers do justice to the originals, and are even among the best songs on Hardworlder.
If it wasn't for Hardworlder, my growing interest in metal wouldn't have increased nearly as much. Hardworlder was definitely the album that turned me from a casual fan to a metalhead. It is absolutely essential for any fan of heavy metal. Hardworlder by Slough Feg hit the ground running, and was an instant classic from day one.