Post-rock
's perpetual dabbler,
David Pajo
, has been a busy man, lending his guitar to a veritable who's who list of acts ranging from
Tortoise
to
Zwan
Bonnie Prince Billy
, as well as his own solo work. With
Dead Child
's
Attack
,
Pajo
returns to the group scene. Living up to its title, the album is an unrelenting
metal
assault; a 47-minute love letter to British
heavy metal
that simultaneously pays homage to and modernizes the sounds of
luminaries like
Judas Priest
Motoerhead
, and
Iron Maiden
.
takes classic
and makes it their own, combing the galloping pace of the new wave of British
and adding lumbering, detuned guitar, creating a sound that's crushing and unyielding.
"Angel of the Odd"
and
"Never Bet the Devil Your Head"
come barreling out like runaway sonic freight trains, rolling over everything in their paths without ever slowing down, while also showing off the vocal talents of
vocalist
Dahm
, whose versatile wail is reminiscent of
Bruce Dickinson
or
Rob Halford
is really at its heaviest when the songs are at their longest. On
"The Coldest Hands"
"Black Halo Rider,"
both clocking in at over seven minutes, are dark and thundering minor-key endurance tests.
especially seems to pay tribute to the crawling, riff-driven style of
Black Sabbath
. The one trait that really shines through on every track is sincerity.
gives a nod to early
without a coy wink. You'll find no ironic denim vests or tongue-in-cheek glam excess on
, just the unrelenting vigor of classic
. ~ Gregory Heaney