Hellrazer have been merited with such credits as "New Wave Of Canadian Heavy Metal" (Undergrounded) and "old school metal at its best" (Metal Fields). This Canadian band's third full length album 'Operation Overlord' holds a majestic title. And zombie Nazi soldiers on its cover... Everything's very promising for Hellrazer, then.

But, alas, what a long and dull-edged album this is. Hellrazer's heavy metal was influences by some big names, but is still firmly rooted to the underground. The opener 'Hellrazer' hails towards Judas Priest with its hammering tempo and riffing. The NWOBHM style is heard quite a lot throughout the album. 'The Hunting' treads on thrash metal battlefield, and then again, they enter calmer realms on 'The Phantom' (at least for a while). There is nothing unique to be heard here, but that was not the band's purpose. What is more alarming is that the compositions are more or less foreseeable, and most being quite long in duration. A little bit of more adventurous mind probably wouldn't have been a bad choice. The riffing is hammering or shredding, but there isn't that many truly memorable riffs, e.g. 'Death or Victory' is one example of this failing. And the riffs must work, right? Too much stuffing between better parts...

At their best, the band manages to bite, but not to the bone. The playing is not very tight. Actually it is rather sloppy at times. The guitar work is the tightest element here. The riffing works (if only there was better riffs, that is), and so do guitar solos. The drums aren't devoid of power, but are simplistic and flaccid on several occasions. The bass guitar's role is to follow the rhythm guitars, therefore fading into obscurity far too often. The raspy vocals are melodic, but not brisk. Then there are more angry raspy throat attacks. The vocals are another inferior element, ending up being diluted. Female vocal lines on 'The Phantom' do not do much. The production is okay, as it is powerful enough, and balancing between the instruments and the vocals work well. Partly old school, but still with nowadays' punch.

'Operation Overlord' is one long-lasting battlefield, which tests even the most hardened heavy metal warriors' stamina. The band should observe their song writing to make changes to it, as there is potential in Hellrazer.

Rating: 5½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/23/2013 18:22