RANGER — Shock Skull (review)

RANGER — Shock Skull album cover EP · 2014 · Speed Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Time Signature
Omen of doom...

Genre: speed metal

The Finnish speed metal are just about to release their next EP - a two song 7'' which will be unleashed on May 7 on Ektro Records. It's not secret that I quite enjoyed their previous EP "Knights of Darkness" with is supercharged blend of speed metal and NWoBHM aesthetics.

So, do the two tracks on this EP live up to the predecessor? Well, not quite, I think. The title track 'Shock Skull' just does not work that well for me. Granted, it is characterized by the band's fierce speed metal style, but it comes across a bit too chaotic and generally too over the top - especially in the vocals department. Fortunately, 'Omen of Doom' is a completely different story, as this song is totally awesome. Much more so than the title track, this one captures what i really liked about the previous EP: the fast tempo and the guitar harmonies and other elements associated with NWoBHM, and the hysterical vocals suit this track much better.

As with the previous EP, the musicianship is top notch, and the production is lo-fi in a retro fashion. And, as with the previous EP, I don't really think that a retro production is necessary, but it seems that the band have made this part of their trademark style.

In fact, it is solely because of this track that I give the EP 3,5 stars - it's THAT good. I'd say that the EP is worth purchasing because of 'Omen of Doom'... who knows, you might even like the title track.
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