SPELLCASTER

Yep, it's more traditional heavy metal. Just don't expect SPELLCASTER's "Spells of Speed" EP to rival the excellence of new albums by the likes of CHRISTIAN MISTRESS or on the thrash end of the spectrum by label mates VINDICATOR. This six-tracker from the Portland, Oregon metallers is however a gratifying slab of trad/speed metal that shows a lot of potential for future growth.

"Spells of Speed" is the first in Heavy Artillery's new Wax Maniax Demo Series, "a handmade series of extremely limited vinyl and CD pressings featuring raw demo and live recordings…" Pretty cool I must say and if you're an exclusive old school metal head, then you'll probably want to grab one of the 200 CDs or vinyl EPs available. For everyone else, the three studio tracks benefit from a raw energy and an approach to writing that is largely without shabbiness, even if it won't drop jaws. A particularly strong track called "Chainsaw Champion" opens the album with a smart mix of thrashing riffs and classic metal tunefulness, followed by "Locked On", and "Spellcaster", all of which take one back to the first half of the '80s with a style that splits the American and British scenes in half. Thomas Adams' vocals are of the mid-range, somewhat gritty variety, except when he's emphasizing a point with a high pitched, nut-crushing scream. Guitarists Cory Boyd and Tyler Loney bust out workmanlike riffs and, as a matter of fact, chainsaw their way over up-tempo gallops, while offering tasteful harmonizing during "Locked On" and the MAIDEN-ish title track. The backing shouts on all three cuts serve to toughen up the choruses.

A couple of down 'n dirty, demo quality live cuts from a July 3, 2010 gig at Portland's Plan B demonstrate a more aggressive side to the band, especially the rendition of "Chainsaw Champion" on which Adams' scream to kick the song into high gear is much more Tom Araya than Rob Halford. Overall, I wasn't blown away by "Spells of Speed", but did find the thrash-edged, straight up heavy metal approach quite enjoyable. Once the greenness wears off, that approach will sound even better.