Powerdose

After re-reading my previous Speedtrap review and noticing words like 'Ultimate Warrior', 'out-of-control bulldozer', and 'ball hairs', I realize I may have let my emotions get in the way of writing a fair and objective review. This is a leaf in dire need of turning, so what better way to do so than review Speedtrap's debut album Powerdose? This album is like steroids going straight into my asscheek.

Raunchy, unambigious speed metal riffs are kindled by fiery leads and solos, on occasion sounding less like guitars and more like revving industrial equipment. Demonstrated nice and early in the opening track 'Redemption of Might', riffs and leads are played without any inhibition, existing only to widen the gap between your eyelids. In this way, you can equate Speedtrap to Canadian speed/thrash legends Razor, in an alternative universe where they favored speed metal instead.

Our friend Jori Sara-aho blusters his way onto the mic just as he did in Straight Shooter, as effervescent as he is incomprehensible. The lyrics are about as decipherable as the Voynich manuscript, sadly making couplets like "We cry out with thundering force" and "Ride on the winds of the nuclear storm" imperceptible to the mortal ear. But Sara-aho's passionate, if nothing else, even so ambitious as to inject quasi-melodies during some of the passages.

Like I said in my previous review, when I wasn't discussing pubic hair, I was impressed with Speedtrap's ability to appear uninhibited and even juvenile in their insatiable desire for power and speed, all while paying keen attention to songwriting and structure. I'm pleased to see these sensibilities began as early as their debut album, where nearly every song - behind the veil of their outrageous peacocking - actually hides painstaking dynamism. In this way, tracks like 'Out of Time, Out of Line' appear similar to the lead-foot anthems featured in Overkill and Restless and Wild, that are actually deeper than you first think.

This may come as a shock, but I don't think this album is the greatest thing ever. After all my salivation is mopped up, I'll admit Powerdose has some issues. Namely, pacing is on the redundant side, leading to certain stretches of the album becoming tiresome and repetitive. Powerdose attempts to countervail this by making the album a very brisk half-hour. This may seem short, but it's far longer than it needs to be. On top of this, production is sometimes beleaguered by obscenely loud tape-hiss, very noticeable in 'Battle Cry' and during certain breakdowns.

But overall, Speedtrap is good. Describing why is like describing why chocolate cake is good. Why eat chocolate cake? It tastes good. Why listen to Speedtrap? So that the next person to kick you in the balls will break their ankle. We're dealing with very simple concepts. The only concept more simple is if a speed metal fan should listen to this album.