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SPEEDCLAW “Stardust”
SPEEDCLAW “Stardust”
By Dr. Abner Mality
There’s an explosion of new bands inspired by the sound of early 80’s speed metal that rivals the current death metal hype. SPEEDCLAW is from Croatia and is one of the latest.
These guys have the basics of the subgenre down pat and deliver their tunes with the necessary speed and enthusiasm. The NWOBHM influence is also extremely strong here and if I had to compare SPEEDCLAW to anybody, the first names that come to mind are BLITZKRIEG and SATAN. “Tonight” and “Allnighter” have that “Britmetal on cocaine” feel to them that came to typify early 80’s speed metal. By the way, what’s with the “night” fixation? The first four song titles all have “night” in them in some fashion...kinda like the old TV show “Wild Wild West”!
Where SPEEDCLAW fail to match SATAN and many of the NWOBHM bands is in terms of the vocals. Singer Silvario Cosic is not bad by any stretch, but he clearly is nowhere near the range of a Brian Ross. His English pronunciation is OK, but as the album proceeds, a kind of monotony sinks in as Silvario doesn’t have the little quirks and tricks that make a really top notch vocalist. But I have heard much, much worse. He makes up for it with his fluid and LOUD bass playing, which almost overpowers the guitars.
The songs get a little samey in their approach, but never to the point where the album derails. Other songs that stood out for me were “Crystal Light” and “Fly High”, which boast some slick THIN LIZZY type twin guitar work. SPEEDCLAW is another worthy name to join the current speed metal boom.
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