Spellcaster - Spells of Speed

Release Date: September 14, 2010
Label: Heavy Artillery Records

TRACK LISTING

1. Chainsaw Champion
2. Locked On
3. Spellcaster
4. Chainsaw Champion (live)
5. Power Rising (live)

Total playing time: 27:41

August 25, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

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*Comments:

From the Eighties book of speed metal comes Spellcaster, a Portland band that has a little something for everyone into the traditional/speed/thrash mediums.

This little EP of three studio tracks and two live songs is a sojourn back in time to a place where bands like early Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate and Sanctuary took root in the metal garden and produced some tremendous music. In fact, vocalist Thomas Adams sounds a bit like King Diamond in his harsh enunciations that is just subtle enough to draw comparisons, but not blatant enough to scream wannabe. His style is honed just perfectly in tracks like “Chainsaw Champion”. In “Locked On” you can certainly hear Killers-era Maiden, a very welcome sound with the current reemergence of that traditional sound of late that is especially evident in Sweden.

Adams’ vocals on Spellcaster are a real treat; there is no overdoing a scream or under-producing a gruff hit on a syllable. While Adams is not Rob Halford (nor does he really seem to try to be) his powerful and seemingly unobtrusive effort is what draws me to the EP even more. That said, the band is as equally resounding with some great retelling of some classic riffs that are familiar, yet mixed so carefully that nothing sounds too familiar.

I love the title track in no small part because of Adams’ vocal over some catchy speedy chords. I read in the bio that Adams was singing along to Grim Reaper on a car stereo he was hired for the singing slot, and I can certainly hear Adams wailing tunes like “See You in Hell” or “Dead on Arrival” from Reaper’s 1984 classic See You in Hell. There are some true classics in the making here and that’s no overstatement. The band was recently signed to Heavy Artillery Records, a wise choice indeed for such a fine up-and-coming label.

As for the live tracks on this release they are further proof that this band is serious business without an ounce of hesitation anywhere. I am very excited about the 12” being issued in September through Heavy Artillery and the upcoming full-length. If this output manages to stay consistent I’m thinking about a very lucrative future for these guys in the metal scene. We simply need more bands like this that not only remind us of the good ol’ days, but make us anticipatory of what’s to come.