15-times-dead-metasultra-album-coverI know very little. No idea what Metasultra means. No idea what ‘girth metal’ could possibly mean beyond the variety of rude ideas I just came up with. No idea who started the argument between the two skeletons on the cover. However thankfully I do know that the opening track on this Paisley bands debut, Bullethead, is a lovely chunky bit of metal and an excellent work-boot style introduction to them. It has the chug metal of Metallica et al, sliding into a deep blues riff groove of the vague type Orange Goblin are utter wizards at, melody which nods towards rock sensibilities and fine gruff vocals that can turn from carrying the melody with a fine poise to very expressive snapping and snarling the fast paved lyrics as anger or disgust dictates. In short a fine and distinctive first impression.

The next song Sleep slows things down a little but soon finds that downtuned groove to rock along. It’s something they have a knack for. They also dip easily into atmosphere and the kind of bear growling blues that bands like Earthride inhabit. 15 Times Dead aren’t quite in that exalted beer and sweat circle yet but they have more than just the solid foundation already; listen to Girth Giver and in particular that chorus and you feel not just the anger of the song but hear a band looking forward. They move from first gear grind to bouncing, pounding groove easily and smoothly and pull you along very nicely with some attentive song writing.

There is a pretty downbeat feeling throughout the album, mind. Don’t come here looking for a celebratory stomp or an uplifting chorus; they deal mostly in an eyes wide open, life is damned hard outlook with the big, dark riffs and black melody ushering you closer. The modern metal cousin to blue collar doom. There are no new shiny versions of the wheel here, nothing desperately new, but with excellent songwriting like Through These Eyes (I See Death) and Rape Of A Nation what you do get is a distinctive identity of a fine and more than promising metal bands.

There are no real downsides to Metasultra, certainly no problems that need more than a little tweak or just a little time. Sometimes you might feel that the first few bars too readily latch onto the standard chug, chug, squeal type intro. Or you might wish for a song with a bit more continuous roll to the groove rather than so easily interrupted but really that is all I can whine about. This lot of muscular Scots have talent breaking out like a hard earned sweat and I suspect their songwriting will just get better. The best thing here is that when you sit down and ponder your favorite song you end up with a list: Bullethead, Pray, Girth Giver…. Always a good sign, no? And it’s a grower too.

All in all, this was a very pleasant revelation and in a genre that is not really my natural stalking ground either. Give them a little room and a lot of listening, people, they are worth it. And will get better.

(7.5/10 Gizmo)

 http://www.15timesdead.com