Verdalack delivers some high octane Speed Metal that brings a 1980’s hardcore punk sound mixed with some pieces of leather from Judas Priest, a dash of Thrash and the fumes of a beat up motorcycle riding off in the sunset. The Japanese band (consisting of the amusingly named band members Villain, Vandal, Vortex, Void & Vigor) expands on their 2022 demo ‘Rites of Hell’ with ‘Force From the Grave’ but doesn’t stray too far from that initial demo’s sound and even the title track reappears on the full-length here at the end. I didn’t find any parts overstayed their welcome and the short 29 minute or so runtime was perfect. Very notably the vocal delivery is almost exactly like Barney from ‘the Simpsons’ but slightly more feral/caveman-like and with reverb like he’s calling out from inside a cave in the distance while using a megaphone. Occasionally such as on ‘Blood Eagle’ he will let out a high-pitched old school Heavy Metal yell like King Diamond which is great as well as a gruff “ough!!” on some other tracks in a way reminiscent of Tom G. Warrior from Hellhammer/Celtic Frost.
This is the soundtrack to a mega hangover, the punkish drums loudly pound out skank-beats and D-beat stomping to a frenzied pace over top of alternatingly Thrashy riffs, NWOBHM-style riffs and some melodic double guitar work peppered throughout kinda like a manic stimulant-abusing version of Iron Maiden. There are some heroic solos that shred like they mean business which is fucking sick, this is for sure a “guitar player” album – shredders and those aspiring take some notes here. The energy is consistently high and upbeat – the album is full of head-banging moments that will make you wanna howl at the moon.
‘Blood Eagle’ starts off with some frantic drumming which sets the pace and then explodes into a thrashing swirl that stood out to me as well as the fifth track ‘Final Assault’ for it’s melodic passages and deft guitar work between the axe-wielders. This is music that is at a crossroads of influences would appeal to thrashers, heavy metal fans and punks alike. I consider this soundtrack to drunk driving a motorcycle while high and crashing it into a graveyard and then getting eaten by zombies. I would say if you’re into music with sharp guitar work, serious attitude and high energy then give these Tokyo rockers a go.
