Formed from the ashes of Chicago based thrash bruisers Usurper, Rick Scythe has a new project simply called Scythe, a no nonsense heavy metal band that more or less continues where Usurper finished off. There are no frills here, its straight heads down heavy metal with a spiked glove in the air and a beer in the hand striking the air guitar pose as though your very life depends on it. Few people in metal can boast that molten metal flows through their veins but Rick Scythe certainly has, his passion for metal has continued undiminished for over 20 years now and for that I tip my glass to him.
This album begins with a monstrous riff, taking in speed metal and death metal in equal amounts to create a bulldozing beast of a tune with a juggernaut rhythm section. There are Venom vocal grunts added for that extra metalness. I absolutely adored the guitar tone which has a beastly chainsaw sound, yet is crystal clear within the mix. “Mastermind” starts much slower with low rumbling guitar riff almost as though it’s on the wrong speed. The change in riff is excellent and hones the song perfectly for the double kick which as I said is monstrously heavy. Into the title track and it’s back to the speed death metal style. However the song contains some incredibly macho clean vocals, not the gang chant style, just a pure male vocal drawl as I felt the song had Motorhead touches. The album does contain some slow pulverising tunes that have a sinister edge like “Tyrannical Stranglehold” and “Opus Dei Of The Dead”. It should be pointed out that though the tunes are slower they are supremely heavy and dense. “Talons Of Steel” is what you’d expect with a title like this, a pure unadulterated heavy metal song that has Venom traits and as always a colossal double bass kick. The lead however takes on a Fast Eddie (ex-Motorhead/Fastway) feel, being fast, tuneful and dirty. The Motorhead touch continues into “Eye Of The Crow” with a massive bass sound and a song not too dissimilar to our own Asomvel. It would be misleading for people to interpret my review that Scythe is a heavy metal outfit, the hallmarks of old heavy metal are there but this is a far heavier album than Motorhead or Venom, as it borders the death metal speed of someone like Cianide or Panzerchrist.
Anyone who enjoyed Usurper is guaranteed to like Scythe as it is the perfect follow up, and with Scythe offering some additional vocal twists and guitar elements, the sophomore effort from Scythe will be a goliath of an album I hope.
(7.5/10 Martin Harris)
Leave a Reply