Time Signature Glory found...

Genre: Speed metal

Following up on their debut album "Powerdose", one of Finland's premier speed metal bands - Speedtrap - released their sophomore full-length effort "Straight Shooter" in September of 2015.

They pretty much continue where they left off on the previous album. This means that the listener is treated to retro speed metal, drawing inspiration from the time before it branched into thrash metal and power metal. On other words, many of the songs sound like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest played at Motörhead speed. That said, this album is perhaps a tad more catchy than the predecessor, and there are probably more traces of traditional heavy metal as well than on "Powerdose". This does not mean that "Straight Shooter" is impotent at all, just let a track like 'Torches Ablaze' kick your little ass.

The production is rough around the edges, but in no way lo-fi, and the musicianship and songwriting skills are impeccable and characterized by professionalism. Of course, there is nothing original about the album, but you should not expect that from a band who set out to compose old school speed metal. Then again, one kind of original aspect is constituted by the vocals, which seem more inspired by Robert Plant and Eric Wagner. And you know what, speed metal with rock 'n' roll screams and throwback 70s rock vocals is fucking awesome.

Fans of speed metal and old school metal as such should definitely check out this fine album by Speedtrap.

Time Signature Ready to strike...

Genre: speed metal

After a handful of years of roaming the Finnish underground scene, Speedtrap finally released their debut album "Powerdose" earlier this year.

Drawing inspiration from Motörhead, Judas Priest, and early Iron Maiden, Speedtrap go back to the basics of speed metal, before it spawned thrash and power metal, and their respective offshoots. Thus, the style on the album, not unlike early Metallica and early Megadeth, involves elements from traditional heavy metal and hard rock played at breakneck speed with punky elements every now and then. The vocals are more in the traditional metal department, featuring banshee screams and melodic hooklines. There are a couple of excpeptions to the high speed style that dominates the album. 'Out of Time, Out of Mind' is more of a traditional metal rocker, drawing on both Motörhead. And in 'No Sympathy' - perhaps the fastest song n the album - they venture even more into crust punk territory.

The production is pretty good although it is fuzzy around the edges . which obviously suits the old school music very well. The musicianship is top notch, and the the performance is tight and solid - even in the high-speed noodling sections.

Fans of early thrash metal annd speed metal, as well as more aggressive traditional metal, should definitely check out this speedfest of a debut album by Speedtrap.