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Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
Show N Tell - The Ritual Has Begun Album Art

Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun

Traditional Heavy/Speed Metal
4.0/5.0

Hailing from the American southwest, Show N Tell was created in 2019 by guitarist and vocalist Dave Rodriguez (Twelve Gates) in Phoenix, Arizona. The band features members from the Phoenix area metal underground including Mike Thomas (Unholy Monarch) and bassist Cade Gardner with guitarist Daniel Dobbs, both from The Writ. The band quickly dropped a three-song demo, which received positive encouragement. In advance of their full-length debut album, Let The Ritual Has Begun, Show N Tell offered their first single and video, Night Stalker.

Show N Tell - Click For Larger Image

Show N Tell

Show N Tell is undeniably a classic and traditional heavy speed metal band. The members cite influencers such as Dokken, Iron Maiden, Accept, W.A.S.P., Skull Fist and Swedish contemporaries, Enforcer. The quartet offers a classic twin-guitar attack, pitched vocals, bristling gallop and groove, and an abundance of soaring guitar solos. Even the art work for the album cover is old school.


Turning to the tunes, the most obvious description is simply fast and heavy. Yes, there may be moments of subtle steadiness, but most songs are a horse race from start to finish, leaping from the gate and galloping on. After this the most prominent element is the twin guitar work and the astonishing amount of guitar solos. Most all songs could have been trimmed back by 30 seconds to a minute. Instead, guitarist Daniel Dobbs gets a huge amount of time and space to work his fret magic. Fans of "true" metal know that epic solos are necessary. If you dig lead guitar, then you will appreciate this album.

All these things are self-evident across the album with favorites including I'm Alive, The Second Death, and Run To The Light. Night Stalker bumps up the rock groove a bit more than the others. Heavy Metal is their anthem to their genre, complete with gang vocals.

All said, if you enjoy traditional, fast and heavy, speed metal, then you will appreciate Show N Tell and their debut album, The Ritual Has Begun. "True" metal is alive and well. Definitely recommended.


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The Take Away

All said, if you enjoy traditional, fast and heavy, speed metal, then you will appreciate Show N Tell and their debut album, The Ritual Has Begun. "True" metal is alive and well. Definitely recommended.

Support the band, click the link below to find the album in your favorite format.

Purchase Show N Tell - The Ritual Has Begun at Amazon
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