The energy of Speed Metal is really something that differs from other Metal budies. It’s the power and the glory, but with much more glory. It’s simple and direct with lots of aggression, though with the same doses of melody. To some extent, Melodic Death Metal, regarding the more modern instrumental techniques, owes a lot to Speed Metal as both are fast, aggressive to the bone, however with lots of melody in the guitars. As I said, the technique is what differs both. Speed Metal uses Old School Heavy Metal tonal techniques with, still, many things from the Blues, where Heavy Metal came from. Melodic Death Metal is complex with layers and layers of sounds with some more intrincate instrumentals, however the guitars follow many Old School Heavy Metal ways of playing mostly regarding to to the melodies. It’s a very simple way of putting it I know, but I guess it’s very clear as well.
When I listen to a band as Scavenger, which is by the way the real deal, I feel all the power and the glory that come from my speakers. It’s also rewarding to realize vocals are provided by Tine Lucifera with her acid and corrosive voice. I really get back in time reminding of Doro and her Warlock, Kate and her Acid, Leather Leone and Chastain, the queens of Speed Metal. I also have to praise all the guitar work in “Beyond the Bells” with its melodic feeling and choosen phrases. It sounds to me Tim N. and Kevin D. did some kind of craftsman work here lapidating each lead with the aiblity only masters in their art could have. It’s really hard to pick just one track as all of them are wondrous.
“Beyond the Bells” commences with “The Warning Bell,” delivering the typical Speed Metal intro with a gentle and melodic guitar strumming which soon is replaced by a ferocious strike led by Tine Lucifera and her wicked crew. I particularly liked the guitar work of “Nosferato” with a long twin guitar lead. I just love when guitars duel like this. Other thing that raised my eyes was the guitar strikes and bursts of “Crystal Light.” In fact, not only it, but other tracks delivers this guitar burst. Here the Speed Metal queen shows off all her ability and vocal prowess showing that she can be gentle and fierceful at the same time.
Well, “Beyond the Bells” reunites two things I love about Metal music: female vocals and Speed Metal music. To me it’s enough to have a great album and a great time.
P.S.: Scavenger were formed in 1984. In 1985 they had their debut album “Battlefields” released by Mausoleum Records. Standing the test of time, the powerful debut has become a real cult classic of the ’80s underground heavy metal scene. Shortly after its release, Mausoleum ends its activities making it impossible for Scavenger to continue but no one expected what was yet to come. This was just the beginning…
Scavenger “Beyond the Bells” was released on March 22nd via No Remorse Records.
Track Listing:
- The Warning Bell
- Black Witchery
- Watchout!
- Streetfighter
- Defiler
- Hellfire
- Slave to the Master
- Nosferatu
- Crystal Light
- Backslider *
- Red Hot *
Watch “Black Witchery” official lyric video here:
1943
