Shocking Its Prey

When I first heard about Ryan Waste’s side project traditional metal band, I got absolutely pumped and when I found out the pre-order date, I made sure to order my copy of Shocking It’s Prey that same morning on cd and vinyl (and a t-shirt too of course). When it arrived in the mail, I put the cd in, and was blown away by what came out of my speakers.

The first song was the band’s namesake, “Volture.” This song packs a punch on all levels. Shredding guitars, soaring vocals, pounding drums, and driving bass (courtesy of Ryan Waste), lyrics telling of a vulture made of steel and electricity; this song just has it all! The next song keeps this pure metal moving with the song “Heavy Metal Machine.” This song is just a pure classic, telling of an amazing car with all the futuristic powers. Vocalist Brent Hubbard just does a fantastic job on vocals on this song, as with every other song on this mini lp.

The next 2 songs; “The Horde” and “Night Walker” are once again instant classics. These songs lyrics both deal with death and a murder. The music is just fantastic and once again everything is just working for Volture. The next track, “Cheap Thrillz” is my personal favorite off “Shocking It’s Prey.” This song just has everything that metal is and should be, and some of the most humorous lyrics I’ve ever heard. I love Brent Hubbard’s vocals on it, he displays his full range and it’s extremely impressive. The lyrics tell of a hook up with a groupie after a show, and features one of the best lines ever sang: “money shot deposited right into her bank.” How could you not love that!? Volture then closes off “Shocking It’s Prey” with a little Satanism and death in “Heathen’s Revenge.” A dark tune but with pure metal and it is well crafted. A fantastic way to end the mini lp.

“Shocking It’s Prey” clocked in at about 22 minutes, and was some of the best 22 minutes I have ever heard. Brent Hubbard (vocals), Ryan Waste (bass), Barry Cover (drums), and Nick Poulos (guitar) all play to their full potential and never for one second doubt themselves on this album. Some may say this is just another “retro-band” and I hate that term, they are playing the music they love, who cares if it’s in a style that started 30 years or so ago? They are playing what they love and doing it damn well and Volture proves that. Am I being over generous in giving them a perfect score of 100/100, I don’t think so one bit, I never second guessed that score and I’m not going to now.

They amazed me and deserve it, they are a force to be reckoned with, so watch out Enforcer, White Wizzard, Steelwing, and Cauldron, you have a new competitor in the field and dare I say they may possibly be the best out there right now? Once a full length comes out will be the true test to see if they stand up to the challenge. Incredible job guys I look forward to seeing what you all bring forth in the future!

-Mike Mendyk
Steel& Fire Records
www.steelandfirerecords.webs.com