When I received the press kit for Crimson Storm’s debut album, Livin’ on the Bad Side, I braced myself for some full blown Riot worship, as I assume their moniker could only have come from the Thundersteel classic, “Sign of the Crimson Storm”. Considering Thundersteel is one of my favorite albums of all time, this would’ve been more than fine by me. These days, even a cheap Riot knockoff is more entertaining than 99% of what clogs my inbox. However, as I’ve learned in the past, a band naming themselves after a classic metal song doesn’t necessarily reflect their sound.
In the case of Crimson Storm, while they nail the speed aspect of the 1988 masterpiece, there is little to no “power” to be heard. The Metal Archives claims otherwise, as do the good folks at RateYourMusic, but I don’t know. To my ear, this is just good ol’ fashioned neck-snapping, all guns blazing, full throttle, meat and potatoes speed metal, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I reviewed a full fledged speed metal album. No, not a traditional metal album with the occasional speedometer-shattering outburst, a SPEED METAL album dammit!
The awesome thing about speed metal is that, unlike other metal subgenres, even at its most one-dimensional and predictable, it still kicks ass. Such is the case with Livin’ on the Bad Side. From the opening frenzy of “Raging Eyes of Darkness” (extra points for that gang vocal chorus), we know exactly what lies in store. Machine gun riffing, heart-stopping double bass drumming, ear-piercing shrieks that could raise the dead: Indeed, this is speed metal via the NWOTHM, akin to late ’00s heroes Enforcer and Striker pre-AOR reinvention. A song like “Outrageous” lives up to its title, while little nuances like the pre-chorus vocal harmonies on “Abuse of Power” and punkish aggression of “Headfukker” add character.
There is the occasional palette cleanse, to satisfy those who need a breather in between their speed. “Nightmare Deceiver” is an unabashed ’80s commercial metal singalong, channeling the arena-shaking maneuvers of Loudness and Dokken circa ’85. Even the production sounds authentic, so much so that I wouldn’t mind hear more of these simple, four on the floor anthems in the future. Also of note is the obligatory slab of Maiden worship, “Harakiri Rendez Vous”. Ever wonder what it would sound like if Bruce Dickinson laid down the vocals on a Killers era deep cut? Look no further. A slice above the usual Maiden worshipping fare, “Harakiri” is a top notch slab of NWOBHM tinged magic.
As “Seven Days of Mayhem” (sung in the band’s native Italian tongue) rounded this affair out, I couldn’t help but be pleasantly surprised. 9 songs (technically 8 and an intro) sandwiched into just a little over 33 minutes? This is how it’s done, folks. Livin’ on the Bad Side is short and sweet, at least in the context of old school speed metal. It’s fast, melodic, and straight to the point, with something to offer for headbangers of all ages. Indeed, it’s the sign of the crimson storm!
7 out of 10
Label: Fighter Records
Genre: Speed Metal
For fans of: Striker, Enforcer, Traveler
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