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RUTHLESS “Curse of the Beast”
RUTHLESS “Curse of the Beast”
By Bob Burner
I always get nervous when classic bands put out new material. Here we have RUTHLESS with their fifth full-length album. The reason I get nervous is a lot of the legacy bands always seem to be out of touch and try to update their sound and it usually never works out great for them or they put out a weak album that lacks the punch of their early material. I will say I did really enjoy their 2015 album “They Rise” when it came out, so I am hopeful. It seemed the band did not try to change or hide their roots. Let’s see if this new slab of music will be metal without mercy or what I fear!
After a quick instrumental intro the first song is the title track “Curse of the Beast” which fires on all cylinders. Now this is a way to start an album. No build up, no messing around, and no wasting time. It is like a pile of bricks hitting you in the face and it doesn’t stop. It is a great blend of classic metal with a touch of thrash and the vocals have even a touch of crossover in a good way. There is even a slight crossover part in the middle of the song to push this further. In this heavy blast of music there is also a lot of harmony in it. This song is a perfect set opener… if I was to create a live set list for the band since it would get any naysayer to turn their heads and watch. And the great addition of the “gang style” backing vocals is always a great thing to have in songs. It adds more punch to the song in my opinion. More older bands need to listen to this song to see how to keep fresh without changing your old classic sound.
The album flows great into the next few songs with a variety of speed and force. “Raging Violence” is more of a speedier song while “Berserker” keeps the power but in a more reserved heavier side where Sammy’s vocals shine and you get to hear more of his range than in the faster songs. The band is super tight and you can tell a lot of care has gone into each song making sure each stands out on their own. The only issue I have is I wish it was a tad shorter of an album. I think it would make the listener want more and with too many songs, a few get lost in the shuffle.
The album’s last original song is kind of an odd choice since “Hallowed Ground” is kind of a more plodding heavier song and not one that kicks you in the face like the others on this album. I guess adding a cover at the end by JUDAS PRIEST is their way of giving the listener something to remember. Now it isn’t a bad cover but it shows you that not everyone can handle doing a PRIESTcover. While not bad it is not great either. It would have been better I think to end in a great original song.
Overall this is a great album. While not breaking new ground or changing the way metal music is done, this album goes to show that the classic bands can still put out great new music. Many of their brethren need to take notice and follow suit. So many seem to be slogging along putting out heartless music with no soul while we have RUTHLESS putting out a pretty killer album. So, for all of you fans of classic metal, do not fear this album and go and pick up “Curse of the Beast” and get your dose of speed and steel. While a tad too long, this is the only bad thing I can say about this one. It is great to see some of the legacy acts doing their own thing and not changing to fit in but keeping their flame alive with their own sound. Even for fans who may not be familiar with RUTHLESS this is a good place to start.
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