Time Signature A year later there is still metal left in the skull...

Genre: traditional heavy metal

Collecting the EPs "Drunk On Blood" and "... And The Sepulcher Of The Mirror Warlocks", this compilation is to be released later this month via Killer Metal Records. As the awesome cover art indicates, this is metal for those who like all things fantasy (I mean it's an orc popping a dude's head off with a rigged D20).

Colossus is a decidedly old school heavy metal band, and despite the obvious humor they embrace, they are pretty damn awesome. All tracks are in an NWoBHM-inspired vein, treating the listener to galloping guitars and twin guitar leads. Not surprisingly, then, this release is full of songs that sound as if they were composed back in the 80s. And, well, I gotta say, this is just the kind of traditional metal that I have always had a weakness for. The exceptions that confirm the rule are perhaps 'The Last Stand of Miles Teg' and 'Swords Against Death' which are more oriented towards speed-power metal(and pretty fucking badass, too).

The production is pretty good without being polished, and quite old school without being lo-fi. There is a bit of a difference production-wise between the tracks from "Drunk On Blood" and "... And The Sepulcher Of The Mirror Warlocks", but that is not something that disturbs the listening pleasure. Colossus are pretty good musicians and songwriters and manage to capture all the (good) clichés of 80s metal.

Fans of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slough Feg and other quality traditional metal are bound to love this release by Colossus the head-popping metallic knight slayers.

Pelata You gotta love a band who writes songs about killing zombies and transforming into bloodthirsty monsters. Especially when it’s combined with NWOBHM influences and nimble musicianship. Such the case with Raleigh, NC’s Colossus. Abandoning their punk rock aspirations, these five young men fully embraced their love of all things Heavy Metal with the EP release Drunk on Blood, the follow-up to their full length release …And The Rift Of The Pan Dimensional Under-Gods.

I know there are lots of NWOBHM influenced bands seemingly appearing out of thin air these days. But, don’t lump Colossus in with all the bullet-belt wearing 21 year-olds playing dress-up and pretending to be more metal than thou. These guys play with heart and sincerity while still maintaining a fun attitude. I mean, how serious can you be with lyrics like “Man-flesh between my jaws…” (from track number five “Wendigo”) or “Burn the brain, make them stay down” (from the fist-raising, zombie-vanquishing “Kill More Better”). Galloping, harmonized guitars, head-banging tempos, ripping solos, clear vocals and fantasy lyrics…somebody get me a beer! The five tracks here, those mentioned above as well as “The Mountain That Rides”, “A Year Later (There’s Still Meat Left In The Skull)”, and “The Operative” (a lyrical homage to the sci-fi series Firefly) are a full-on heavy metal good time!

If forced to complain, then its too short. Five songs isn’t enough. Colossus isn’t out to play the “stone-faced artist” routine. They’re honoring the spirit of metal, spreading blood, sweat & guitars! Fans of early Maiden, Witchkiller, Saxon & Thin Lizzy‘s heavier moments should be all over this. While a glance at their band picture calls to mind a gathering of hipster-doofi, Colossus is all metal, all the time. You can keep Enforcer, Black Tide and whatever other band is currently trying on the spike-wristed skin of the past, I wanna get Drunk on Blood!