Wings of Chains

In their debut album, Bat give you the total speed metal package with image, cover art, lyrics, style and sound that comes together to give the listener exactly what you want from this genre: riff filled fast, fun, catchy, metal. The songs are short and to the point, with a collection of riffs ranging in style from punk rock (Total Wreckage), Motorhead/rock n’ roll (Rule of the Beast), early black metal (Condemner), thrash metal breakdowns (Bloodhounds, Code Rude), crossover chugs (You Die) and Iron maiden dual leads (Bat). The guitar leads are short and ripping, filling in between verses, and the solos providing strong traditional metal energy. The choruses are catchy and memorable with just the right amount of classic metal melody. Spooky monster movie intros to bloodhounds and the bands title track “bat” add some variety. There’s great bass work throughout, not being satisfied with leaving the instrument as simply a background melody, but tons of fills and short bursts, often as good as the guitar leads.

The production is standard for the genre, being rough and raw that gives it some heavy metal attitude, but still good enough to hear everything clearly. Vocals are of the first wave black metal type, very similar to Venom. Again, lyrics are standard genre fare, covering all the good stuff: Satan, sadism, death, violence, and general immorality. They rhyme in a fun way throughout the whole album. For a good example listen to Code Rude.

Its fast, rude, and fun. Nothing new in the way of originality, but I mean, it’s a genre that’s not exactly known for innovation and variety. This album is never boring. What you see is what you get, and Bat offer up a solid slab of 12 old-school worship, black, speed metal bangers, making Wings of Chains an album to definitely add to your collection.

Favorite song: Code Rude
For fans of Venom, Midnight, Chapel, Toxic holocaust, Whipstriker, Hellripper