Power Metal)

Please purchase the artists merchandise

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Tracklisting
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1. (00:00:29) Headhunter - Intro / 3rd Man
2. (00:03:04) Headhunter - Parasite Of Society
3. (00:04:33) Headhunter - Silverskull
4. (00:06:12) Headhunter - Remission
5. (00:04:44) Headhunter - Doomsday For The Prayer
6. (00:03:38) Headhunter - 18 And Life
7. (00:03:52) Headhunter - Read My Lips
8. (00:04:26) Headhunter - Backs To The Wall
9. (00:06:21) Headhunter - Egomaniac
10. (00:04:55) Headhunter - The Calling
11. (00:04:08) Headhunter - Payback Time
12. (00:06:44) Headhunter - Rapid Fire
Playing Time.........: 00:53:07
Total Size...........: 121.68 MB

Band Lineup:
Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer - Vocals, Bass
Uwe “Schmuddel” Hoffmann - Guitar
Jorg Michael - Drums

PARASITE OF SOCIETY is the first Headhunter album since 1994 and marks a reunion 10 years in the making. Headhunter started out back in 1990 when Schmier left the band he founded, Thrash pioneers Destruction. Almost immeadiately, Schmier enlisted Uwe Hoffmann and Jorg Michael to form Headhunter, a band that would blend the frenzy of Thrash with the technical melodic prowess of Power Metal. Headhunter released 3 albums during the ’90s but broke up as Schmier returned to Destruction in 1998. 10 years later…..here we are…..

The music here is more German Power Metal than Thrash and definitely sounds like ’90s Metal. If I had to compare the band’s sound I would definitely list Destruction for the Thrash element and vocals but comparisons to U.D.O., Rage, Running Wild, Sacred Steel, and Grave Digger can be found. Schmier’s vocals are rough and harsh with a touch of the melodic, he’s not going to win any best singer awards but he is a unique force behind the mic. The backline of Schmier’s thrashy bass and Jorg Michael’s rapid fire drums really provide a solid punch. Michael has been in some of some very successful bands like the aforementioned Rage, Running Wild, and Grave Digger but he has also lent his drum style to Heavy Metal legends Saxon and Stratovarius so you know there is serious talent behind the kit. What makes Headhunter shine is the guitarwork and Uwe Hoffman really shreds all over this album, he has a cool sense of melody while he solos and lays down some killer Power Metal riffs.

Out of 12 songs there are two covers: Skid Row’s ‘18 & Life’ and Judas Priest’s ‘Rapid Fire’. Let’s get these out of the way because I hate it when bands put unnecessary covers on new albums. Except for the solo, ‘18 & Life’ is terrible but so is the original! This is probably one of the worst cover songs I’ve heard in a long time but the band redeems themselves with a solid run through ‘Rapid Fire’ that is straight up Metal. (My copy is the advance without ‘Rapid Fire’, I was able to find it streaming online for a listen.) Honestly, I could do without both in return for one or two more originals.

There are 10 originals on PARASITE OF SOCIETY and the first song, ‘3rd Man Introduction’, is a quick 30 second instrumental that slams headfirst into the Thrash power of the title track that has some frantic, speedy riffs. ‘Silverskull’ has more of a slower heavy groove to it until the chorus where it picks up again. I like how the guitar mirrors the chorus and has a chance to solo after each one but the vocals throw the song off a little…..’Silverskull’ could easily be a Primal Fear song with a change at the singer slot. I like the opening to ‘Remission’, very slow and haunting guitar lines open the song and follows into a doom laden main riff with Schmier going from a more melodic clean style to screams and growls. Listen to Jorg’s drums just crash all over this song, especially just before the revved up solo break. This is probably my favorite song of the record.

‘Doomsday For The Prayer’ is a fast neckbreaker that has more to do with the Destruction Thrash style while ‘Read My Lips’ burns with a speed demon main riff and pounding drums while Schmier screams over the top. It sounds a little too frantic but it all seems to come together. When I saw the title ‘Backs To The Wall’ I thought I was going to get a third cover, this time of Saxon, but thankfully it’s an original song. It opens with a drum intro, moving on to a bass highlight and settles into a mid-pace Metal march. I believe that is a sitar that opens ‘Egomaniac’ for all of 10 seconds until the song kicks into high speed with both Michael and Hoffmann duelling each other to see who is faster. ‘The Calling’ could easily be an U.D.O. stomper while ‘Payback Time’ finds a way to bring the pain with powerful riffs. There’s a break towards the end of the song where the band shows their comedic side by busting into a little Muppets action which also has a metallized passage that leads to a quick drum solo, this whole endeavor goes for a couple of minutes.

Bottom Line:
If you like straight forward Traditional Metal that blends Power and Thrash together then this is for you. If you are a fan of German Heavy Metal, then this is a combination of all different styles and bands. What I like about PARASITE OF SOCIETY is that Headhunter creates a collection of songs that sound raw but full of balls and fury. The band isn’t breaking any new ground with the retro ’90s sound but the album is a bit refreshing with the current trends in Power Metal going towards more orchestration and melodic passages. The album is full of great music, especially the guitars, but the vocals may throw people off. Schmier’s vocals may not be in the same league as Roy Khan (Kamelot), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), or Joacim Cans (Hammerfall) but the guy comes out and just sings with aggression, kind of sounds to me as a cross between Anvil’s Lips and Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) with a little more screams and growls.