Heavy Maytal - Chariots Overdrive : "The End Of Antiquity"

Some Asian kids based in Atlanta are trying to crank out metla that is rooted in the 80s. The vocals make me concerned about how easy it is going to be for me to make it through this album. They are this band's weak link. The guitar harmonies are their strength, though I like the raw Combat Records feel to the sound captured here that strikes me as being legit. There is a more Judas Priest-like sound for the guitars on "Marching Maniacs". Lyrically, it's terrible, and the guitars are really the only thing keeping me invested. The vocals are even grittier than the previous song, though it is clear this guy can't actually sing, as it is more spoken with a mock attitude. 

The drums could stand to come up in the mix and add some heft to their sound. There is a more thrash feel to the taunt riff that keeps " A Talkonautic Alchemist' moving. The vocals go up higher and sound not only strained but also very pitchy. When the vocals attempt to harmonize, it makes it even more apparent just how out of key they are. It almsot sounds like Elmer Fudd doing Iron Maiden karaoke. The guitar solos are the best part, but not something you can hang a whole song from. The only similarity to Iron Maiden is the fact that they, too, have an eponymous song. The vocals are more snarled here as they move in a thrashing direction. The melodious section of the song would have worked better with real vocals. 

"Nomadic Warfare" brings a more aggressive hug to life. I am cautious to get excited for anything, as it can anticipate the vocals coming in to ruin things. They wait for a minute and a half to do that, but they are pretty god-awful. There is a more melodic tension to the title track. The taunt palm muted riffs work well. If these guys were smart, they would have leaned more into the harsher vocal sound, as nothing is saving this singer. Midway through this song, there is a cool riff that feels like it belongs on a Dio album. They close the album with the twelve-minute-long."Bizarre Pilgrimage to the Cubik Mansion" Three and a half minutes into it, they go in a weirder, darker direction. It reminds me of Celtic Frost, which should also give you a glimpse into how the vocals on this album work, because often they sound like Tom Warrior trying to cover Judas Priest. They have potential as a band; they just need to get an actual singer and find a producer willing to work with them and help dial these sounds in.  I will give this one a 7.

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