During the last few years, we've witnessed a pleasant little revival of timeless metal in the vein of MAIDEN's "Killers". There's just something about the raw, snarly vocals, jaunty tempo shifts and galloping guitars that seems so iconic, and bands like SLOUGH FEG, MIDNIGHT IDOLS and BIBLE OF THE DEVIL have all embraced it, adding their own distinctiveness to the template.

This very collectible, hand-painted disc from Chicago's HAY PERRO is a welcome addition to the roster. These guys waste no time opening up the throttle: "Everything is Permitted" and "Kitty, Queen of Destiny" deliver the rushing riffs and dueling axe work the metal hounds crave. The guitar harmonies have a distinctive robotic swoosh about them that serve to separate HAY PERRO from some of the above-mentioned talents. "The End Is Nigh" proves to be the high point of the EP, introducing a bashing, low-slung blues melody a la TESLA before shifting into a punked-up, rapid-fire tempo with a commanding bassline. It may not be a familiar name now, but a couple more discs like this one will surely make HAY PERRO a respected moniker in metal circles.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.hayperro.com

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