Hellrazor
In the Wild Heaven & Hell Records

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

Comments: With all of the Metal Core, Grindcore, Hardcore (Post-Hardcore too) and other Metal genres out there, going back to basics is typically the best decision of them all. Inspired by bands like Testament, Iced Earth, Anthrax and Exodus, North Carolina’s Hellrazor has released a new CD called In the Wild that is neither earnest nor derivative. Instead, Hellrazor delivers no-frills Metal that doesn’t try to fit into any genre except Heavy Metal, which is why it succeeds on every level.

The title track “In the Wild” slaps you in the teeth at the onset. Lead singer Alan Rueda probably has an affinity for Chuck Billy and Matt Barlow, because while he sings with a harsh edge, he can nail all the notes, even the highest ones. Lead guitarist Charley plays with a deft ability to slide between churning riffs and fevered leads. If this is your first intro to Hellrazor, it’s a damn good one …

Up next is one of those Narcissistic sins, writing a song about the name of your band. “Hellrazor” itself is a solid track, especially with Rueda using a higher style of singing like Halford at times, but still …

“Possession” is a track that seems a bit more NWOBHM, especially with the Maidenesque leads at the beginning. Even with the chord progressions and Rueda’s sinister talking at the beginning, you’ll be thinking Iron Maiden. Then, the track becomes massively heavy, with Rueda switching to near Black Metal shrieks, so the Maiden comparisons are right out the window. It’s obvious from this song that Hellrazor is more than a one-trick pony and can play any style of Metal.

When you get to “The Passing Hour,” you’ll be wondering what else they can do, and well … Progressive Metal is something else they excel at. You’ll hear a Jim Matheos type guitar construct at the start, and the music itself is less dark and more melodic, although, still heavy. Instead of just hammering you with riffs, Charley uses riffs at varied tempos and brief guitar passages to guide the song. Even the guitar solo is delivered with more feel than a typical Thrash composition offers, as heard earlier on In the Wild. This is the best track on the release.

The CD ends with “3 A.M.” and you’ll hear a beer open before the music kicks in. This may be the heaviest composition on the CD, getting close to Slayer with its screaming guitar solo and breakneck rhythms. Rueda again sounds similar to Matt Barlow. What is it with North Carolina producing guys that sound like Barlow—the band Cresent from the same area features a guy in Chris Parrish who sounds damn near EXACTLY like Barlow. Anyway …

In the Wild is a release that doesn’t need a genre to define it. So instead of narrowing your tastes so you are basically left with a couple bands who write the exact same song and sing and play exactly the same way (hi Nickelback and Theory of a Deadman), let Hellrazor re-introduce you to Heavy Metal, and leave it at that.

www.myspace.com/hellrazornc

Track Listing:
In the Wild
Hellrazor
The Pawn
Darker Days
Possession
The Passing Hour
Stacked Up
Ride or Die
3 A.M

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.8/10