EP REVIEW: Metalucifer – Heavy Metal Ninja

Japan’s Heavy Metal samurais METALUCIFER are back with a new EP consisting of 4 tracks in English and then repeated in their native tongue. Out now via Iron Oxide Records, Dying Victims Productions and Hells Headbangers Records.

Pounding drums and epic riffs give that instantly classic Heavy Metal feeling, something Metalucifer have consistently upheld across their lengthy career. Dropping into a sleazy groove, the disturbed vocals of Gezolucifer set in to show the mix is well-balanced and metallic as ever, crawling through simple hooks before coming into an anthemic chorus that shows the fiery spirit of the band as is passionate as ever. The warm-bass brings in some Steve Harris style melody while the sharp riffs keep things hard and the leads add those bluesy chops that makes this sound convincingly like a Japanese take on the NWOBHM which is effectively what it is (if that wasn’t clear by a song literally called “New Wave Of British Heavy Metal”). The title track takes the Maiden-esque melodious side of things even further with a truly epic, galloping and soaring piece of true Heavy Metal excellence. This is how to worship your idols and honour them, this maniacal foursome of metalheads absolutely nail it. The whole EP is a killer slice of Heavy Metal martial arts, but let’s see how it holds up in Japanese.

So, you enjoyed the entire EP, like me? Now we get the whole thing again in the bands native tongue. Often, I think Heavy Metal (especially of the traditional variety) works best in bands’ native languages, so this should definitely be interesting. The songs feel a bit more snappy in the way Japanese phrasing is, which gives a slightly more Punk attitude yet of course staying true Heavy Metal throughout. The changes are subtle but it certainly is really cool hearing the band use Japanese, as often it is the case that bands perform more naturally in their native language, Gezolucifer has an equally killer delivery in either as remains a flamboyant frontman whether speaking English or Japanese. With Elizabigore, Ossiandozer and Zorugelucifer providing such a strong sonic foundation it is hardly surprising, this band clearly functions superbly as a unit. With this kind of music, some might like for a pretentious “depth” that simply is not there, but those who just enjoy some great Heavy Metal will have an awesome time in either language.

New Metalucifer was always going to be a good thing. I am not mistaken in thinking so, on this turbulent double-dose of traditional and terrific headbangers. The idea to include both linguistic versions works really well and gives 2 separate cultural angles on the 4 excellent songs and it certainly isn’t boring to hear them twice. “Heavy Metal Bang Your Heads” summarises what this is about better than I can, so yeah, go and do that!