ARMOUR

The part about the kind music played by Finland's ARMOUR is that if not done right it can fall flat on its face, owing to worn out mimicry, tepid songwriting, and a complete lack of passion, or it succeeds wildly for reasons opposite to those just noted. Coming after several EPs, ARMOUR's self-titled full-length debut succeeds wildly and leaves the listener with a permanent grin and a fist thrust high in the air.

The album is as much an anomaly amidst the typical Hells Headbangers catalogue of blackness and death as it is a welcome and refreshing addition to the roster. Those that either came of age during the '80s or that have gone back to find out what all the fuss was about will find ARMOUR's frill-free exercise in bombastic 80s party time metal a gigantic treat. The style to which I refer is one with roots in the music of bands like W.A.S.P. and the best parts of '80s hair metal, as well as the occasional nod to ACCEPT. In other words, it is all about busting out a tough riff, riding a diesel-fueled beat, and sucking in the listener with immediately catchy choruses. The rough hewn riff tones and bone-dry rhythm section sound gives the album a suitably raw edge as well. Song-wise, you get good-time, big chorus rockers like "Rock 'N' Roll Tonite" and "Sex Demon", scorching classic-riff (and rather W.A.S.P.-y) speedsters like "Hellfire" and "Satan's Knights", and ACCEPT-esque anthems, complete with backing-shouted choruses like "Magick Armour" and "The Time is Right", the latter of which includes a refrain that is surprisingly similar to SAXON's "Crusader", though unintentionally I'm sure.

Transcending the actual songwriting is a white-hot and supremely high energy heavy metal vibe that feels so right. A slew of killer solos bolster the effort big time. Not unlike what Sweden's BULLET did on "Bite the Bullet", ARMOUR's self-titled disc pays respect to the rockin' side of 80s heavy metal in a genuinely appealing way by cranking the amps and letting it all hang out. Put simply, ARMOUR nails it.