ALBUM REVIEW: Bat – Under The Crooked Claw

Virginia’s street-lurking Speed Metal mob BAT are finally back with their second full length album. As a huge fan of its predecessor and more so the EP between them, I am ecstatic to dive into this. Release is set for May 17th via Nuclear Blast Records.

An eerie introduction begins our hellish descent into horror. This is short lived and soon speeding armageddon begins. Thundering bass booms atop ferocious drumming with some vicious riffs pulling the neck with a whiplash effect from its venomous onset. Punchy and visceral instruments require equally direct vocals, which Ryan Waste delivers savagely, spitting pure street ready filth which every verse. Bat straddle pure d-beating Speed Metal fury while holding a sense of melody in their songs which gives their gutter-dwelling assaults a bit of flavour beyond the average. Although they have gone from a smaller more cult label to a mainstream one, their music still has that underground feeling and hasn’t been compromised at all. The opening moments of “Under The Crooked Claw” picks up where there violent past left off gloriously.

Many of you are hopefully familiar with the two killer singles and their equally brilliant music videos by the name of “Rite For Exorcism” and “Streetbanger”. These two mighty anthems should give you a strong idea of Bat’s music which anyone in their right mind will be drawn in by. Fist-pounding Heavy Metal anthems with the fury of Tank, Venom and Motörhead with a touch of horror; what the hell is not to love? Bat take it back to the 80s, with a real British feeling to some of their tracks that don’t feel out of place here in grey London, when Heavy Metal was played by a bunch of ugly leather clad blokes. This relatability and their obvious passion for underground mayhem is so endearing while the music does not speak, but screams for itself.

Overall there is a simplicity that is primal and so damn enchanting here. Sometimes a passionate trio of rockers belting out anthemic hellfire is all you need and we get there in abundance on this record. There’s no bells and whistles (although a vibraslap appears), just straightforward killer tunes. For me there is an honesty that you cannot deny here, no pandering or hype but just rockin’ music that is hard not to love. This charming and humble approach incinerates all the pretentiousness of the modern day and age with real musicianship but not only that; a real record with real songs, a real production, a real album cover and overall a feeling of genuine authenticity. In a world of AI art, copy-paste production and lazy songwriting something so simple can feel like a breath of fresh air. Be warned, these rusty street-lurking maniacs are coming for all the pretty, polished and wimpy bands.

Bat deliver Speed Metal carnage and they do it well. If you’re hungry for havoc and need a dose of debauchery, this is the record. Every second is fun, ferocious and readies you to bang your head against the stage. Beware of the Bat, horror and chaos will drag you into the night blazing a trail with nothing but the true old die-hard spirit and some loud tunes. Another triumph for this power trio.