ALBUM REVIEW: Cyber Metal – Skelator

These days, most people associate the word ‘Skeletor’ with a series of memes surrounding the grumpiness of He-Man’s perennial arch enemy. Head to the west coast of the United States, however, and, with a single letter change, the name takes on a wholly different meaning. SKELATOR are determined to keep the classic sound of heavy metal alive and this campaign continues with Cyber Metal, their fifth studio album released later this month via Gates Of Hell Records. It also marks the full debut of Darin Wall on bass, who replaced Rah Davis two years ago.

With SKELATOR leaning heavily on influences from the NWOBHM-era, picking out the sounds of the legends from that era is all too easy. However, as there are those individuals who believe this is the only true sound of heavy metal and all else isn’t worth their time, there will always be someone around who will delight in the sounds of IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST making an appearance when the bands themselves aren’t crafting new material. Certainly, the likes of lead single Cast Iron will be enough for anyone to throw on their battle jacket and bullet belt before praising the metal Gods to the high heavens; the same applies to Erlkonig, which uses the narrative of the Goethe poem of the same name to underpin its driving tempo. Closing song Psychic Silver Wheels is the most consistent in terms of music and tone, its catchy chorus and SAXON vibes doing much to bring the album to a satisfying close.

Perhaps even more importantly for the final track is that it ends Cyber Metal on a high note which, for large periods, it didn’t look like achieving. Much of this is down to vocalist Jason Conde-Houston, the band’s only original member; his voice just doesn’t stand up to the demands that music of this ilk requires at times. It’s most noticeable on Seven Scars, which is the strongest track musically but has its wings clipped by Conde-Houston’s oft-nasal performance before it can truly soar. Both opening number Cyber Samurai and Highlander also fall foul of his attempts to reach notes that come so naturally to Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson because his own voice is being strained outside of its own range; in the case of the former, it’s particularly damning given that the twin lead solo from Robbie Houston and Rob Steinway is great and Patrick Seick’s drumming is also very strong. It’s noticeable that when he drops down on songs like The Hammer, the songs become significantly more palatable on the ear and it’s perhaps something to take note of on future releases because it’s very much achievable.

The biggest challenge when recording a classic heavy metal album like this is that you have to make sure it clicks at every opportunity, else it will inevitably prove just why the old guard of the genre got to where they are. SKELATOR have their moments on Cyber Metal, but the iffy vocals and occasional lack of bite will make you wonder why you didn’t just put The Number Of The Beast on again for the millionth time.

Rating: 6/10

Cyber Metal is set for release June 14th via Gates Of Hell Records. 

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