Züül (U.S.): To the Frontlines (Planet Metal)
Züül’s vibe for traditional heavy metal sounds
so devoid of trickery and gimmickry, and the songs have so much to offer that
all-metal addicts shouldn’t pass them up, and especially those into “classic olde
metal.”
Züül appears
to be musically descended from Thin Lizzy huge guitar harmonies, as well as
classic metal in general. The vocals also sound Thin Lizzy-ish in the sense of
a midrange, tuneful voice (no high screaming, no growling nor anything like
“modern”/”angry” vocals). The main riffs for the songs are both classic metal,
classic rock, with an exuberant energy, a Motorhead-ish energy, if you will.
What you
get are rocking metal songs, that in 2013 would appeal to fans of the New Wave
of British Heavy Metal, 70s classic metal, maybe with a little classic punk
thrown in (energy), and classic rock.
Just out
of curiosity, here are some Thin Lizzy quotes by Züül. Right off the bat, on
the first song, 14 seconds in, and they smack down that recognizable guitar
shot that opens “Jailbreak.” Coincidence? Then, at 1:03 the guitar harmonies
are winding up and down for half a minute, and then at 1:29 they directly quote
a Thin Lizzy signature squeal. Or take “Skullsplitter”: out of the gates, the
harmonies would make Phil Lynott smile from ear to ear. Check out 1:44-2:24,
guitar fans’ delight. Then, they bring the house down at 2:56-3:37: that’s how
to play harmonies and solos.
Add to
this, the Motorhead energy, and you got a fun metal band. I get the feeling
that singer Brett Batteau is holding back a bit, that he could get down and
dirtier, and let his voice explore more. At any rate, here’s a band that sounds
little like anything else you may have heard in recent years. That was my
experience, anyway.
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