ALBUM REVIEW: Dissecting Shadows – Rusty Eye

With October in full swing, there is no album more apt for the season than Dissecting Shadows by RUSTY EYE. The Mexican-American trio have a style in sound equally bathed in the spookiness of bands like GHOST, the grit and crunch of trad metal, and the frenetic stylings and energy of JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN. And like GHOST, the band has taken on suitable monikers that add to their mystery and cool (and lovably cheese) factor. The band was raised and currently makes their home on the LA Strip, with their bassist, Mr. Rust, DJ’ing at the famous Rainbow Room. It’s no wonder the band has a talent for digging back and capturing a late 70s/early 80s vibe like few bands can. Though they don’t succeed at every turn on this record and some aspects could use a bit more practice and polish, it’s a blast to listen to and a great record to make spooky season even more metal and more fun.

Right from the hop on This is Permanent, the band establishes that gritty 80’s trad metal tone and a badass vibe. The vocals on this track are an interesting mix of male vocals that fall in line with a trad metal sound but the female vocals, courtesy of drummer/vocalist Miss Randall, take on a punkier sound, which can get a bit jarring at times. But the song is rollicking and it sets the exact tone it needs to as it rolls into Can’t Wait to Go to Hell, an album standout. Baron Murtland, the band’s guitarist, is not afraid to bust out a solo in the first 30 seconds of a song on this record. The tone sounds great and the mix throughout the album is really crisp, aside from the snare which sounds a bit dry. But there is some awesome synth work in this track and it brings such a fun schlock factor. These guys are all in for the fun, and there’s no better song to slay some zombies to than this track.

Dissecting Shadows dives into that JUDAS PRIEST/IRON MAIDEN gallop straightaway, with Mr. Rust launching into some Tom Araya-esque shouts. The melody lines of the song invoke those NWOBHM bands to the letter, and with some ripping solos to boot, it’s a fitting tribute. It’s yet another track that solidifies the album as one big love letter to everything that makes metal so great. Hellbound Witch is pure, awesome cheese as well. The vocals could use a bit more work on this one, but with the oh so corny “BURN HER” shouts, this track should force a smile regardless. The riffing is crisp and this track gives the impression that RUSTY EYE would be a welcome opener for any number of large acts out there. It’s the kind of band at a show that inspires quick phone glances and notes to make sure that songs are downloaded later. Again, they’ve got the spirit of the music down, just a bit of work on the technicality would go miles.

Unfortunately this shortcoming comes up right on the next track, Defacing Effigies, which, aside from the catchy main lick, isn’t very memorable. The vocals are pretty shouty and its mid tempo pace doesn’t do it any favours. It’s neither here nor there, and there’s no real vocal diversity on this one. However, Mrs. Baylock, is a straight up banger. It’s the best track on the album, and it’s got spook factor for days. Opening with another slick riff and some synth work, the guitar sounds particularly nice with the flanger/phaser effect Murtland has going. The chorus is super hooky, and as it pays tribute to The Omen character, the lyrics are perfectly fitting for Halloween. The real kicker is the synth solo that combines with a guitar solo to end the last two minutes or so of the track. It brought to mind the always incredible Miasma by GHOST. In actuality, this track almost stands right there with it.

Hope Denied is a neat track that opens with a guitar line that sounds almost Buckethead-esque in its construction, and Miss Randall’s vocals sound at their best on this track. More chunky riffs get the blood pumping, and the dirge like quality adds eeriness on top of simple but effective solos. There is some autotune usage on this track though, and it’s unclear whether it’s a purposeful texture. Either way, it doesn’t detract much. The Destroyer is another top tier track that, again, falls into that PRIEST/MAIDEN territory, with a bit of early era MEGADETH vibes to it as well. But boy is it a ripper. The vocal cadence and delivery is the best on the record, and the melody is once again, very spooky.

However, the final two tracks of the record do not do it justice. Kandarian Dreamin’, Evil Dead pun notwithstanding, is a not very ear catching instrumental despite some atmospheric dread. The synths sound great used here but as a whole they’re not as effective as on previous songs. And All the Colors of the Dark is one of the weakest tracks on the album, ending it on a bit of a dud. It’s a bit all over the place nothing stands out as a particularly strong element, which is disappointing.

A band that wholeheartedly embraces who they are in all ways and forms will elevate their work on and off the stage, that’s what RUSTY EYE does on Dissecting Shadows. It’s a record that pays great homage to its influences but distils them to the elements that make metal such a fun and energetic genre. It’s a vivacious, but imperfect record. It’s like an unpretentious B movie that people love not in spite of its cheesiness, but because of it. Again, RUSTY EYE has the spirit in spades. The band needs some tweaking across the board to take it to the next level, but this is a group that should be in the ears of anyone who loves the spirit of heavy metal and wants to cut loose, strap on a leather jacket, and ride a roaring motorcycle into the night.

Rating: 7/10 

Dissecting Shadows is set for release on October 23rd via Blood Blast. 

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