I’ll admit that I’m not particularly familiar with the metal scene in New Zealand at all. From memory I can only name three Kiwi bands that I’ve experienced the music of (those being Diocletian, Ulcerate and Dawn of Azazel). I can’t really count Demoniac anymore seeing as they moved to the UK pretty smartish before the guitarists decided to start up Dragonheart/Dragonforce. So, I received this CD from Wellington’s very own Bulletbelt with open arms in hope to expand my knowledge of the ways of down under metal. Judging by the quality of it, it seems I certainly need to do some more investigating if the standard is anywhere near as high across the rest of the scene.
Firstly, that cover art is top notch, created by the obviously very talented Nick Keller it reminds me of some of Kris Verwimp’s finer pieces of otherworldly work. Musically, although labelled as black metal, this is far from any old early Burzum or Immortal knock off. From the chugging opening riff of ‘Storming the Armoury’ (which is actually an instrumental), you notice something different about these guys in comparison to the majority of bands under the blackened label. A hard-hitting production job, thrashing, chuggy riffage and howled vocals that could strip paint, this has all the blackened chops you’d expect, but it delivers much more. A lot of the riffage is in the melodic black metal vein, but there’s a lot of thrashing going on as well as an overwhelming feel of trad metal, without actually sounding like Maiden or Priest in any sense. It’s a tough one to put your finger on at times; their difference to the traditional black metal sound is almost imperceptible if you were to jump onto the album mid-riff. But then a rumble of standalone bass or a sudden song arrangement will break open a memory of some deeply buried NWOBHM song that sounds similar and it all becomes all too clear that these guys know their shit inside out.
I get the feeling Bulletbelt desperately want to celebrate their influence in their music, and they do so no more clearly than with a punk cover of ‘Mistaken Identity’ by No Tag (though, I wasn’t aware of this at first not being familiar with the original, I picked up on the difference in sound and flicked through the booklet to note it). I enjoy the fully audible and roaming basswork through this album, as it really adds an extra dimension to the evil riffage which takes it to that next level (particularly noticeable in the album closer ‘Iron Clad’). This, coupled with the fact the vocalist really sounds like he’s been skinned and dipped in vinegar, and a drummer who is pounding everything in reaching distance to keep the album pushing ever onward only adds to the list of things to like here.
Bulletbelt clearly rejoice in metal of all forms, and pour their adoration carefully into their own sparkling concoction of black, thrash and trad metal for an overall thoroughly enjoyable (if not a little short) album. If this debut full length is anything to go by, Bulletbelt’s future looks to have many rounds of high calibre ammunition left.
(8/10 Lars Christiansen)
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