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Metalucifer > Heavy Metal Drill > Reviews
Metalucifer - Heavy Metal Drill

Heavy Metal Worship - 89%

VictimOfScience, August 19th, 2023
Written based on this version: 2018, Digital, Skol Records (Bandcamp)

The Japanese underground never disappoints. In this case, we have Gezolucifer's (from Sabbat) heavy metal band, Metalucifer, who are pretty prolific in 80s heavy metal worship. It's not hard to see this coming from someone like him, who eats, breathes, and sleeps heavy metal and its true, unchained spirit that the genre brought about in the 80s. All of his interviews and statements are reeking of unsurpassable, tireless enthusiasm and love for the genre, so that gives you an idea about what you can expect to hear on this album... Nearly 52 minutes of awesome, totally diehard heavy metal glorification.

The record is mainly based on early to mid-80s heavy and speed metal. To be more exact, it sounds as if someone mixed Teutonic heavy and speed metal from the mid-80s with the style and orientation of late-70s NWOTBHM. The opener "Heavy Metal Is My Way" is automatically one of the best songs on the album that immediately sets the mood for the heavy metal rituals. The song is extremely catchy, and the group vocals are so contagious that it's impossible not to sing along with these guys. But just when you would think this is all a joke and it's got nothing to it but stupid fun, Metalucifer reminds you that they are for real, with the solo that starts at 1:44, which will quickly shake you back into silent admiration as you listen to the guitar solo which could have been off of Judas Priest's Stained Class by the pace and the sound of it.

But not all of the album is as laid back as the opener is. There are a couple of pretty ballsy, fierce speed metal tracks on here, such as "Heavy Metal Drill", with a playful and gripping lead melody. That right there is proof that you don't always have to be over-the-top technical to deliver something as enjoyable and captivating as anything. It's a rather unconventional main riff, as besides the verse riffs, the main riff is played in way higher territories than where you'd generally play main riffs in heavy metal. Both channels of guitars, so there is no rhythm guitar in the background. Only the bass. But who said you always have to rely on chug-chug E-string down picks all the time? Kudos to Metalucifer for performing something that's not commonly found in the genre.

The mid-paced pieces are also as passionate and enthusiastic as the fast ones. "Wolf Man" in particular takes no prisoners with its chiseling, tremolo-rich ultra-catchy chord progression. Or take the lengthy, 6.5-minute-long self-titled instrumental, which is beyond impressive and shows that these guys are way more than just another one of those bands that love to write music that reminisces bands from the 80s. The instrumental features a number of riffs and solo sections, with a very emotional bit about two-thirds of the song. From 4:38 over that heavily Iron Maiden-esque riff, they really get all kinds of up close and personal with those heartfelt notes on top, but it's all done in a very admirable and honorable way. The band's honest, childlike enthusiasm and passion for the genre can't be doubted or invalidated.

It would not be an overstatement to call this record a cult classic. There are a lot of things that set this band apart from the ocean of heavy metal revivalist groups around the world. This band really has an identity, and I mean their own, original identity. For instance, Gezolucifer's vocals are almost overexaggerated with passion and eagerness, but that's exactly what makes this record what it is. The band members are almost manga-like characters that are essentially the human embodiments of the feeling of headbanging at a Judas Priest concert. Unapologetically Japanese, and highly talented heavy metal. This should be a no-brainer for fans of Iron Maiden, Saxon and Judas Priest.

Drill or get drilled - 87%

Axecrusher, March 7th, 2004

Do you like NWoBHM? Well, I guess you know this band. The Japanese warriors (incl. some German members now) know how to make some stainless steel for sure...

Get crushed by opener "Heavy metal is my way". The lyrics on the album are 100% metal faithfull, written in Evil English (just like Sabbat) and they make me smile a lot. Luckily it's no stupid 'we-are-so-funny' band 'cause Metalucifer makes serious heavy metal! The riffs and solo's are really well done, just like the production which is clear and good, but still has raw edges (like it should be).

Like I said, all songs are dedicated to metal. For instance the fast "Headbanging" or the fantastic title track which starts with some Drilling. The first riff could be on an old Iron Maiden album. The vocals by Gezol (Sabbat) are also in Evil English, but are more melodic then for instance on Sabbat's releases. He also takes care of the roaring bass.

Well, enough told. Some bands try to achieve the mighty 80's feeling and most fail. But Metalucifer succeeded!