| CD REVIEW Slauter Xtroyes |
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Band : Slauter Xtroyes Chicago’s Slauter Xtroyes were among the most compelling technical power metal bands to emerge in the eighties, their debut Winter Kill, released in 1985, has long been considered an unknown classic, and listening to it again today in 2009, it is clear that it has stood the test of time. (read review 26.10.2009) Free Is The Beast is the official release of their unreleased 2nd album tracks recorded back in 1987 combined with other earlier unreleased demo recordings.SXplay a kind of heavy metal that is hard to describe or to compare to other bands, but I’ll try anyhow. Vague comparisons could be made with Fates Warning, Toxik, Rush, Mercyful Fate, Confessor or Watchtower for the style and sound. The material of SX takes many times before you get into it, and then still you are not sure if there are hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. The songs are very oddly structured, with a ton of unexpected twists and turns in. First the vocals, John Stewart is the real metal beast here and has found his niche and all of his vocal lines from the regular singing to the high screams all seem to fit in at every chance. Stewart’s singing seems to have gotten even better than on the debut album, his variation of tones especial his banshee vocal touch on “Metal’s no sin” is pure genius. It’s totally unique and making a comparison to another vocalist so as to provide context is damn near impossible. Paul Kratky is a fantastic axe hero, he is far from a one dimensional shredder.The Free Beast manages to keep its impossibly high level throughout, with conflicting guitar and vocal lines surfing on almost jazz fusion complex rhythm patterns by drummer Dave Bonow and bass player extra- ordinaire Brent Sullivan. If you even only love technical power metal a little, then there is no way past SX two reissues. Comes with all new 16-page expanded color booklet featuring liner notes, photos, interviews and bonus video track of a previously unreleased song! Cosmicmasseur. |