What sets Speedwhore apart from many other bands, is the brilliant blend of black metal, thrash/speed metal, hardcore punk and doom. The album opens with some Black Sabbath riffs before 'The Call' rages on in sheer Impaled Nazarene meets King Diamond style. I'm almost constantly reminded of the glorious days of Candlelight and Season Of Mist releases, which were always fantastic back in the days.
'The Machine' feels like a blackened punk rock song and 'Secret Science' surprises with an odd mix of down to mid tempo metal and some electronics. At this point, I don't even care who or what influenced this band, I've just started banging my head the way I banged it to Metallica's 'For Whom The Bell Tolls'. 'Too Late To Pray' once again comes up with fierce thrash riffs and blackened screams.
What this album mostly reminds me of, is the musical archaeology I was occupied by in my late teens and early twenties. I went to the library and borrowed records from Venom, Sacred Steel, Sacred Reich and so on. I discovered so much in those day and it's all here in this awesome album (except for Dead Can Dance, there's no Dead Can Dance on this one). With that in mind, I can only say, 'hurray for beer' because without I wouldn't be listening to this gem right now.
Oh man, this album really is a pleasure to listen to. I'm forty one but I feel like eighteen, discovering the wonderful world of metal. If you're a fan of any old school extreme metal, I guess this is something right up your alley. Speedwhore is the future of old school and the future is indeed now...
Serge