Danger - Keep Out

A lot of the online info about this album includes repeated reassurances that their extremely glammy/sleazy aesthetics don't extend into the music, and that they play real metal.  I was still quite skeptical--the band photos immediately brought Steel Panther to mind, and realistically I expected something like Crashdïet musically, or perhaps at best something like the heavier Priest-inspired tracks on Too Fast for Love.  I was quite taken aback when the opener "Enemy" turned out to be a speed metal tune, and I'm happy to confirm this is a legitimate heavy metal CD.

The bulk of the album is rooted in '80s traditional metal, though there are some injections of modern power metal influences and some general power metal overtones throughout the CD (they do indeed sound like they're the retro heavy metal sideproject of a Swedish or German power metal band).  Just by virtue of being '80s style metal, of course there are plenty of Maiden influences abound, but the galloping Egyptian melodies of "The Curse" are a clear homage to "Powerslave."  I also hear touches of "Strange World" early on in "The Fallen One," though it falls far, far short of that and ends up being more of a power metal power ballad.

This disc was definitely one of my most blatant "you can't judge a book by its cover" metal moments, since there isn't even a hint of L.A. influence here!  Sadly, some quick sampling on YouTube confirms their later material definitely fits their image.

Vöetsek - Infernal Command

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Premonition - We Are Metal

For years, the only Premonition track I had ever heard was their Ozzy cover; based on that and their other sensible cover choices, I assumed they were a standard '80s loving traditional metal band.  Then not too long ago I heard a song (from their first album, I think) that was unfortunately more like groove metal with gruff vocals.  Now as much as I disagree with some of King Fowley's intentionally inflammatory hyperbolic statements and the direction of Deceased since Fearless Undead Machines, I was very skeptical he'd release any shit like that on Old Metal.  I will be honest, though--the drummer's Pantera shirt had me somewhat worried.

Musically, this is close to what I originally expected--traditional HM with some slight power metal overtones.  The vocals seem to have some sort of unfortunate reverb effect applied that makes them sound unnatural and warbly, and they're generally a bit off-putting, especially in conjunction with some of the clumsier lyrical phrasings.  I actually tend to love unusual vocals in traditional metal (not just King Diamond and Nasty Ronnie crazyfalsettos, mind you--I actually actively seek out stuff like Living Death and Dark Wizard), but something seemed artificial about these.  I'm hesitant to make a comparison to vocals I actually enjoy, but my brain finds some slight similarities to Ape De Martini in approach.  There are also some hammy attempts to show "range" with lower vocals (including the aforementioned gruff ones) and some cringey falsettos.  I can dismiss the vocals on the originals as just an odd stylistic choice, but the singing actively brings down the Twisted Sister "S.M.F." cover, which would have been great otherwise.