EP REVIEW: Death in Heels on Wheels/Death Promise – Road Warrior/Gravebreaker

Three years after Swedish speed metallers GRAVEBREAKER released their debut album, Sacrifice, Gates of Hell Records reminds us that they are still one to watch in the underground metal scene with a split release joining with Australia’s ROAD WARRIOR, and the two bands kick-off 2020 with a partnership to whet the appetite of old school metallers everywhere.

ROAD WARRIOR’s Death in Heels on Wheels takes a more progressive direction in comparison to their first full-length album, Power (read our review here), creating a track with more complexity and saturation. The song warms up with a sound clip followed by a dark, treble minor riff before chugging into the verse. ROAD WARRIOR mix up the speed in this track, an effective technique which sections the song into varied, interesting pieces. Vocalist and bassist Denimal Blake creates a unique sound with his haunting and soaring vocals that hearken back to 80s old school bands such as FATES WARNING and DIAMOND HEAD. He assures that the next ROAD WARRIOR studio recording will feature some surprises and epic moments.

On the flip side, however, GRAVEBREAKER’s Death Promise is a leftover cut from the writing sessions for Sacrifice, a record which pays perfect homage to metal bands of the 80s. It’s a tale of revenge, re-enacting the story told in the Kung-Fu thriller by the same name, with sound clips scattered throughout the track. A clip from the film initiates the track before smashing into solid, chugging riffs right from the outset. With vocalist Nightmare’s gravelly vocals recalling the likes of early VENOM, GRAVEBREAKER don’t shy away from smacking you in the face with their raw aggression and anger immediately. The track is simple but effective, guitarist Fury’s riffs running alongside a punchy chorus and complementing it perfectly. Musically you can hear the influence of classics such as ANGEL WITCH, but with a more assertive and dark atmosphere.

With two old school tracks that complement each other well, the split release could certainly introduce you to some new favourites in the underground scene. Whilst what the two bands are doing is nothing new or particularly original, this release delivers exactly what it says on the tin, a feel-good throwback to old school metal. GRAVEBREAKER and ROAD WARRIOR are certainly two bands with an uncompromising passion and vision for metal in their hearts.

Rating: 7/10

Death in Heels on Wheels/Death Promise is out now via Gates of Hell Records. 

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