“A covers compilation?” I hear you cry. Well, I don’t because this is a web page and not an actual in-person meeting which is probably still illegal right now. But I’ll pretend. Yes, what we have here are seven classic tracks covered by six different bands and they’re generally of the heavy variety.
I would suspect that most readers will be familiar with some or all of the songs featured, though perhaps not with the covering artists. Certainly we’ve not featured them before so it’s a pleasure to have half a dozen new names in our tag list!
Interestingly, the opening salvo of Judas Priest’s “The Hellion / Electric Eye” is covered by a combination of all of the acts who are to follow. It’s a decent version, too, ramped up a bit in terms of speed and heavy-osity and does give an idea of what you’re in for for the next half hour or so. Cathartic Demise lead the way with one of my favourite Megadeth songs, “Good Mourning / Black Friday”. It begins fairly faithful to the original, but once the “Black Friday” half kicks in, it really delves down into the pits of death metal. The vocals are far harsher than MegaDave’s sneers and the double-kick bass drum really hammers.
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Exodus staple “Toxic Waltz” is ably covered by Rippr’d who I would assume from this song are a thrash act in their own right. It’s not a great step away from the original, mainly vocal style, but it’s done well and it’s still a great track after all these years. Iron Maiden, of course, get a look in as Invicta rattle their way through “Killers”. Oddly slightly more melodic to start with, it’s good to hear the bass guitar really plunking throughout as you can on the original, and the drums are really pushed to the fore. Vocals are harsh which form the main counterpoint, and musically it’s a quality rendition.
I’ll jump to Aepoch with their version of Death’s “Trapped In A Corner”. Seminal melodeath (complete with that guitar sound) begins the song, but Aepoch make it their own after the first verse with some noticeable tweaks and changes.
For the other two tracks, I’m not familiar with the source material – Raider covering Demolition Hammer’s “Carnivorous Obsession” and Stolos with Venom’s “Leave Me In Hell”. The slow, head-nodding heaviness of the former is completely at odds with the garage-recording fury of the latter. The two songs couldn’t be any more different, but you can tell that both pay homage to their influences.
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An interesting little collection and some good song choices. I do like the combined effort, like some kind of bizarre overture, of the opening number and the time flew by listening to (mainly) familiar songs which have been done justice.
Kitchener-Waterloo Metal Cover Compilation is out on May 7th
Invicta: facebook | instagram | bandcamp
Cathartic Demise:Â facebook | instagram | bandcamp
Raider:Â facebook | instagram | bandcamp
Aepoch:Â facebook | instagram | bandcamp
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