As you can tell from this blog, when a disc is only a dollar or two, I'm not terribly picky about checking it out. I would love if I found nothing but obscure gems, '80s/early '90s reissues, and valuable death/black metal CDs in the bargain bin, but obviously, things don't work that way. However, when it comes to stuff I can more realistically expect to find in the cheapo section, discs like this Traitor are some of my favorite finds--small label or indie old school metal CDs that I might even balk at paying full price for, but that are well worth laying down a buck or two for.
I expected this to be just another retro-thrash band, but I was quite happy to hear strong speed metal influences here mixed into the thrash. It feels a lot more '83/'84 influenced than other thrash bands. Opener "Traitor" is probably my favorite track, with an extremely strong Kill 'Em All undercurrent in the music. Closer "Bastards (To the German Commander" is an interesting song with some Egyptian-sounding(?) melodies (the closest comparison in feel I can think of is the riffage in Testament's "Burnt Offerings," although early Exodus sometimes used somewhat similar parts as well). The vocals are gruff with reverb, and while serviceable, they're not much more than talk-singing at times. When he actually sings, I'm reminded a little of Larry Portelli, but nowhere nearly as over the top. I did notice a solid shriek somewhere in there, so it's a shame he just didn't go all out with some more OTT-ness, as I think it would have complemented the music.
I'll add that I think the cover art (by the Coffin Dust guy) is a terrible fit for the band stylistically and it contributed to me having some pre-conceptions about the music (honestly, the title doesn't help much either...). It would be much more fitting for a grind or punk 7" cover, and I wish they had just used the skull/band logo graphic from the back.
No comments:
Post a Comment