MIDNIGHT

If I wasn't a fan of TOXIC HOLOCAUST, I might start out with something like "Forget TOXIC HOLOCAUST; MIDNIGHT's Athenar (aka Jamie Walters) is the one-man old school metal machine to which you should be paying strict attention". But since Joel Grind also brings it proper with his outfit, I'll just note that while TOXIC HOLOCAUST leans more to the side of a crusty thrash-oriented assault, Athenar's MIDNIGHT dives in headfirst with a quality collection of MOTÖRHEAD/VENOM-oriented nuggets on a first full length of new compositions (after a slew of shorter releases) called "Satanic Royalty".

Though the sound of "Satanic Royalty" is not — by design — an original one, it is without a doubt one written with the discerning head banger in mind. In other words, you are treated to 10 tracks that kick all the ass one would expect given the reference points and, more importantly, that will suck you right for the long haul. It is indeed an album to which you'll spin, enjoy to the maximum, and spin again without hesitation. Blackened (and rolled, if you must) though it is, we're talking about the term before it was used to describe anything that grooved with dirty, heavy metal rock 'n roll abandon. Break it down however you wish, but the fact remains that the main ingredients are the effective pounding primitivism of VENOM (especially Athenar's vocals) and the bullshit-free songwriting qualities of MOTÖRHEAD, including a generous helping of the riffs/tone made famous by Fast Eddie Clarke (just listen to "You Can't Stop Steel" and "Shock Til Blood"). When the influence difference is split between the two legendary acts (e.g. up-tempo burner "Lust Filth and Sleaze") it is no exaggeration to describe the result as the best of both worlds. This is one album that is 100 percent devoid of filler. You'll not find a single moment of self-indulgence, much less fucking about.

MIDNIGHT is a "band" that gets to the point and makes every second count, which is a big reason why "Satanic Royalty" is a sure bet to wear out the "repeat" button on your audio player. One must be careful of using terms like "maturity" in the context of songwriting with an act like MIDNIGHT, but there is no question that Athenar has taken has improved his well-worn formula and made the likelihood of track-skipping nonexistent. Down, dirty, and catchy, "Satanic Royalty" is an album you should own.