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.