ALBUM REVIEW: Evil Invaders – Shattering Reflection

Belgian Speed Metal maniacs EVIL INVADERS just unleashed their 3rd album via Napalm Records.

Battering into life with pinch-harmonic embellished riffs that build tension, the electrifying groove of the bands d-beat charge soars into life from the get-go. Shrieking vocals bring the insanity over galloped rhythms to up the ante, putting pedal to the metal with sheer Speed Metal glory. Within a couple minutes of the opening track, the scorching fury of Evil Invaders will have you gripped from gang vocals to soulful yet face-melting shreds and most of all the burning hellfire of pure old school savagery. Pumping fists will inevitably ensue the hammer-on-anvil pounding that is at the heart of everything this band does with their salivating, feral nature ready to strike out at any given moment. “Die For Me” being a perfect encapsulation of their old school ethics which feels like tasteful blend of W.A.S.P, Razor and Agent Steel. Animalistic, exciting and firing on all cylinders from the start, get ready to bang your head like your spine has been replaced by a massive piston. It’s going to get heavier.

Production values on this album have definitely gone up with a pretty clean, yet non-lame mix/mastering job that bears some resemblances to Judas Priest’s piercing and hammering blend of sounds while keeping plenty of sleaze around. The razor-sharp guitars and high vocals cut through while the rhythmic backbone batters relentless through the record. Overall the sound is a strong, united beast of barraging steel. “In Deepest Black” takes a more Queensryche influence, delving into balladic territories that could even be compared to Skid Row. Now while Thrash Metal purists might start sweating profusely, fear not, Evil Invaders haven’t gone soft. This album is far from limp and those subtler moments shine a contrasting light on the utter ferocity that is so prevalent. The track sounds massive and shows a more delicate side to this horde without stepping an inch away from Heavy Metal.

Following one single with the other “Sledgehammer Justice” is a direct juxtaposition, one of the fastest, heaviest and the most intense of the record. Punishing us with sheer brutality while keeping melody and energy abound, this is a suitably titled cut of pure speed mania. From the busy drum fills to raunchy solos ripping out of nowhere, there is something so genuinely nail-biting about this band that has seen them soar from success to success, much like how these tracks jump from banger to banger. There is some excellent storytelling on this record which gives a more sincere, sometimes graven angle to the bands generally chaotic and rambunctious delivery but they pull it off gloriously. A diverse effort that seems to have taken even more meticulous planning than its predecessors (though “Feed Me Violence” remains my firm favourite). But without the need to compare, because this band has always been consistently killer in my book, this is another epic endeavour from these Belgian miscreants.

“Shattering Reflection” is definitely the most accessible Evil Invaders record to date. Mixing their usual skull-smashing Speed Metal fury with some Heavy and even Hair Metal flare, this is a fun but ultimately crushing album. Pure anthemic, frenzied Speed Metal that rages for the ages.