Enter the Metalator

From the Metallica-derived logo to the tongue-in-cheek artwork and over the top metal-ness, Metalator are a band that suitably recall the classic age of metal, where it was often encouraged for a band to self-reference their genre of choice as many times as possible. Yes, Metalator is metal. More specifically, they are a relatively new addition to the Australian thrash metal scene. With a prior EP being titled 'Fuck Posers!', I am not sure whether Metalator are taking this over-the-top metal bravado seriously, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that Metalator are aiming for a less stern approach to thrash, something that the style has certainly been needing in recent years. Although 'Enter The Metalator' shows some very cool aspects of the band and what they're all about, the production and fairly derivative style lead the album to feeling a tad unnecessary in the new millennium.

I would say about Metalator what I would about a great deal of bands within the revivalist thrash movement. Although they're potentially fun as hell to witness live, there's usually something lacking in the studio work, in no small part due to the fact that- to my ears- the style has barely progressed since its inception in the eighties. Besides the typical 'thrash' conventions such as its abundant soloing, unrelenting energy and relatively straightforward grit, Metalator also certainly takes a handful from the most classic of metal bands. Iron Maiden and Judas Priest even come to mind at times here, although throughout the album, Metalator never feels like more than a tribute to these greats. The musicianship is nothing beyond what one might expect for the run-of-the-mill, although some of the guitar riffs on 'Enter The Metalator' are quite excellent. The vocals amount to an unmelodic snarl that has been heard in a ton of bands before; it neither compliments or deters from the music's quality.

Metalator are a capable act with some interesting songs on this debut, but the album's biggest issue comes in the form of its production. Certainly, production is rarely a big issue of contention within metal, but the muffled feel of 'Enter The Metalator' leads me to feel that this band would have been given a much better justice, had the recording sounded a little clearer. With that in mind, Metalator's musical skills are viewed here through a muddy lens. There is some good fun to be had here, but it's difficult to shake that sense of disappointment that this band's debut could have been a lot stronger, given a few tweaks.