This label Heavy Artillery is getting far too predictable. It seems every band they sign these days is a winner, and that means amazing things for the underground and for distros and labels alike if quality bands keep making in onto good rosters. I have yet to be disappointed in H.A. yet, and mind you I’m not looking for the wrench in the machine, but this consistency is almost too good to be true. In an already long line of stellar bands signed to it, Midnight Chaser adds a late 70’s, early 80’s NWOBHM sound to the label, further solidifying its hold on the underground. I like the early 80’s sound of this band and it should appeal to those that like the traditional heavy sound of England’s early days.

The band hails from San Francisco and offers a brand of heavy metal music that is quickly making a comeback; the NWOBHM era is finally getting its due, albeit some 30-years after its initial spread across the globe. With some classic riffs, this EP is not quite a throwback but more of a resurging of what was casually dismissed by the mainstream years ago. Vocalist Scott Attwood has a clean, powerful edge to his voice that is a glove-like meshing with the music Midnight Chaser offers. You can hear an older generation’s eye-view in this music, mostly in the terrific cover of Tank’s “Turn Your Head Around”, which stays very true to the original.

“Rough and Tough” is a wise choice to open the EP because it’s a fresh slap to the face as to what to expect. The classic verse riff is indicative of what the early years of metal called for, and with the rash of bands calling upon this great period of music. “Down for Whatever” and “Too Wild to Tame” are metal tracks straight out of the British book of Witchfynde or AIIZ and find a perfect niche nestled between two eras with a ton of mileage between to carry the mantle effectively. The band is currently working on a full-length due this year and it should be interesting to hear more from these working class guys.

Midnight Chaser is pretty close to what the name implies: you can chase down some liquid courage for medicinal purposes in the late hours while jamming this at high volumes and it’ll fit perfectly. We have no reinvention of fire here, but we do have a fun band that kicks out some serious hard rock that metal fans will dig simply on the merits of it being accessible to pretty much every facet of the metal music. 

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Rough and Tough
2.  Out On Your Shield
3.  Turn Your Head Around
      (Tank cover)
4.  Down For Whatever
5.  Too Wild To Tame
6.  Heard It On The X
     (ZZ Top cover) (Vinyl Bonus)

Total playing time:  20:30

Release Date: December 17, 2010
Label: Heavy Artillery Records

Midnight Chaser - Midnight Chaser EP

Reviewer: Chris

April 6, 2011