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On Top: Top Heavy

Heavy/Speed Metal (NWoTHM)

4.5/5.0

Facebook ReverbNation
HPGD Productions
review by Craig Hartranft,  01.30.2012

It's great to recognize local talent and promote them worldwide on Dangerdog Music Reviews. On Top comes from Downingtown PA, about 45 minutes east of Dangerdog HQ and, boy, can this band rock. On Top is a power trio formed by bassist Jaron Gulino (Trasher, BSOM, Capitalist Death Machine, et al), and after many personnel changes, with drummer Danny Piselli (Fisthammer, Vulcan, Coffin Dust) and guitarist Alex Kulick (Striker). After a demo and an EP, On Top delivers their first full-length disc, Top Heavy.

Above, On Top: with day-glo guitars.

What you have here is a resurrection of the American side of NWOBHM, more specifically on the speed metal side of things. Things begin with the guitar pyrotechnics of the title cut, akin to Van Halen's debut but lighter, and moves to speedy heavy metal. On Top does not let up. There are no metal ballads here. Whew! But there is a booming and persistent rhythm section, solid melodies, big catchy hooks, and rippin' traditional guitar pyrotechnics. Vocal harmonies consist of old school shouts and echoes. Add a predominant rock groove, and you have all the good things that keep a traditional metal head happy.

Notable are the following: the heavier Into the Night and Success and Excess, the hooks of Sick and Tired and Another Night of Sleaze, and the quizzically positive and entertaining, Die High. Sometimes, however, On Top seems flat and predictable as on Fire Down Below which, if anything, is just heavy. Then the closer Too Much is simply too long, though it has the hooks and groove that permeate this album. Give major praise to the band for clarity of production and a truly 'over the top' enthusiastic performance across the board.

On Top's Top Heavy is genuine traditional heavy metal with the acceleration of speed metal. Top Heavy blisters with an old school metal bravado for new generation; it's refreshing and contrary to modern trends. It's all good. Very recommended!

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On Top's Top Heavy is genuine traditional heavy metal with the acceleration of speed metal. Top Heavy blisters with an old school metal bravado for new generation; it's refreshing and contrary to modern trends. It's all good.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]