We Are the Hammer

We Are the Hammer is the 2009 debut album of NWOTHM (New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal) band Savage Blade, hailing from Nelson, Canada (Britsh Columbia). The band draw influence from the likes of Saxon, Diamond Head, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, which comes across strongly in their music. The band personally promise to "Kill em' All For One" (referencing Metallica and Raven, also influences), and listening to this album, I'd say they live up to that statement.

The band's performance on this album is spot on. Nikko Forsberg (vocals) has a unique voice comparable in many respects to that of Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, which really can really be heard very well on songs like Merlin, We Are the Hammer and (In) The Eye of the Storm. The album's also full of hot riffs and solos, thunderous drums, and a strong, ever-present bass. The album finds it's ballad (more or less) in the slower, somewhat-gentler Willow Run, in tradition of the countless 80's bands before them. The music pays homage to the band's influences, but not so much so that the music sounds dated. The band have a sound that's got the hooks and riffs of those before them, but still bring a bit of a modern style to their traditional sound, something which a lot of the NWOTHM bands seem to lack.

It's hard to find a lot of faults with this album. The production's great, the aforementioned solos and riffs are numerous, and the songs are catchy. Songs like We Are the Hammer and Stallions of the Highway are sure to inspire a good "That's gonna hurt tomorrow."-type mosh or headbanging session. I have no doubt that We Are the Hammer will be regarded as a classic years from now, looking back on this musical movement the band have found themselves lumped into. In short, if you like 80's style hard rock/heavy metal as played by those mentioned above, or any other band associated with the NWOTHM movement, then this album is a must-have. A few spins of this record will leave you on the edge of your seat in anticipation for it's follow-up.