HellRazor - In The Wild
Heaven And Hell Records
Thrash/Power Metal
9 songs (39:58)
Release year: 2008
HellRazor, Heaven And Hell Records
Reviewed by Jerrol
Surprise of the month

Being a fan of both Power Metal and Thrash Metal, I have always enjoyed when bands tried to combine both styles, which is not always successfully done. That is not the case with HellRazor who unleash their version of “Power Thrash” with their debut album, In The Wild. They combine the classic approach of bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and especially Iced Earth with the more aggressive elements of Testament and Anthrax.

North Carolina has recently been providing the metal scene with some very good bands over the past few years. Formed in the autumn months of 2005, the members of HellRazor have been part of this scene for a while now playing for bands such as Bloodwritten, Daylight Dies, and Iskariot. Vocalist Alan Rueda, whose vocal style combines those of Matt Barlow (Iced Earth) and Chuck Billy (Testament) with the occasional high pitch scream that reminds me of Tim Owens’ bellows during his stint with Judas Priest, is a perfect fit for the music that is created by his fellow band mates. Bassist David Sanchez and drummer Chuck Giardino combine to successfully control the tempo on In The Wild, while the guitarist, Charley Shackleford, generates the definitive sound of HellRazor with his crushing guitar performance.

The opening and title track In The Wild shows that HellRazor means business, creating a metallic rumpus so full of rhythm that there will be some shattered necks by songs end. The bands namesake follows suit complete with Alan showing his range with Halford-esque screams come chorus time. The Pawn is a real thrasher that reminds me of Agent Steel at times. Possession tips its hat to Iron Maiden, especially in the riffing, but does not in any way sound like a carbon copy. The album finishes off with a couple thrashers in Ride Or Die and 3AM. The album is not without fault. HellRazor are at their weakest when things slow down and become a bit more melodic, on tracks like Darker Days and The Passing Hour. But the good defiantly outweighs the bad.

HellRazor is a band I would defiantly love to see perform live. The construction and pace of most songs would translate impressively on stage. If you are a fan of bands such as Iced Earth, Agent Steel and Armored Saint than HellRazor will fit nicely into your music collection.

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Killing Songs :
In The Wild, HellRazor, The Pawn, Ride Or Die
Jerrol quoted 84 / 100
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