BULLET

Sweden gets attention for its extreme metal scene, but the talent pool is rich across the board. Consequently, the country produces a disproportionate share of reputable bands playing a variety of styles. BULLET is one of those bands and "Bite the Bullet" is an upbeat and tuneful heavy metal album that I found out about only because a friend of mine had been raving about it after hearing them on — surprise, surprise — MySpace. The simplest general summation would be to call the style played a cross between raucous hard rock and New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM),a more specific one AC/DC-meets-ACCEPT.

The first attribute that jumps right out will be the voice of Hell Hofer. His delivery is straight-up Brian Johnson, albeit with a slightly higher register (or more along the lines of the "Back in Black" days). Though the rhythm section and the strong, but rudimentary riffs, on many of the songs do smack of AC/DC, it is Hofer's voice that really makes the comparison an apt one. And in the context of the balls-out, hard-rockin' nature of these tunes, you'd not want it any other way. It is on "Dusk til Dawn" and the title track with those Angus Young licks and Johnson-esque vocals (and lyrics/patterns) that the AC/DC vibe comes through loudest, the twin lead segments notwithstanding.

The NWOBHM bit is recognizable on several songs that are delivered in a manner similar to the most straight ahead ACCEPT and even early SAXON moments. The up-tempo "Nailed to the Ground" drives like an old ACCEPT rocker, albeit one with more boogie power, and boasts twin leads that aren't dissimilar to something you'd hear from JUDAS PRIEST's Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing on "British Steel" and "Point of Entry". The trademark licks from Biff Byford's unit are heard on "Rock us Tonight" and to a lesser extent on "Roadking". I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the smokin' solos from lead guitarists Hampus Klang and Erik Almström too.

Without emphasizing the band comparisons any further, what is critical to note is that "Bite the Bullet" is a fist-pumpin' heavy metal album in the traditional sense. Much like other albums of its ilk, you'll hear a couple of songs that may seem a tad silly on the lyrical side (e.g. "Rock N Roll Remedy" with a chorus of "We're gonna rock this town / all the way down / all the way down to Hell). But that's kind of missing the point. When it comes right down too it, "Bite the Bullet" is a loud 'n proud good time.