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Elm Street: Knock 'Em Out ... With A Metal Fist
Elm Street: Knock 'Em Out ...
Heavy Metal
2.5/5.0
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Massacre Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 08.06.2016
Five years have passed since we've heard from this band from down under. No, I don't mean AC/DC. This is Elm Street with their second long player, Knock 'Em Out ... With A Metal Fist. Yeah. I know. That's a long title. But the title and the artwork by Ken Kelly (KISS, Manowar) should give you some idea of Elm Street metal style. Theirs is traditional heavy metal touched with a bit speed and thrash.
Elm Street
But here's the thing. From some floundering memory, I thought I liked this band. That is until I listened to this album and couldn't get through more than four songs. I'm not kidding. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ben Batres sounds awful. In the past, he had some raspy, whisky and nails, sound. Now his voice is some combination of harsh hardcore and death vocals. I couldn't listen to him. I tried. I really did.
But Elm Street's music, their heavy metal is pretty awesome. Twin guitar harmony. Galloping rhythm section. Burning and bristling leads. You know. All the stuff you love about trad metal. So then, you have a dilemma. Enjoy the sturdy heavy metal and forbear the vocals, or bail on the whole album. I've made my choice. Good luck with yours.
Elm Street - Heart Racer
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The Bottom Line
Because of the harsh dirty vocals, you have a dilemma with Elm Street's latest. Enjoy the awesome heavy metal and forbear the vocals, or bail on the whole album. I've made my choice. Good luck with yours.
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