Back in the late 10s (only 5 years ago, but it seems like a lifetime), there were few newer bands I was more fond of than Leathürbitch. Their unique speed-glam amalgamation quickly caught the attention of myself and others, thanks to releases like their self titled EP (2018) and their debut full length, Into the Night (2019). It then seemed that fate had other plans for this Portland powerhouse. Guitarist Sebastian Silva left the fold, focusing his energy full time on then burgeoning goth metallers Idol Hands (now known as Unto Others). Hey, when King Diamond calls, you answer! Then, of course, that pandemic thing happened.
Fast forward a few years later and Leathürbitch are back: leaner, meaner, and with more misdemeanors than ever. Their latest album, Shattered Vanity, picks up right where Into the Night left off, boasting the unbridled energy of a private press US metal release circa ’84. Yet again, they sonically lie somewhere between high speed degeneracy, gutter glam, and meat and potatoes traditionalism, bringing it all together with an ample kick to the teeth and then some. If “street metal” was a legitimate metal subgenre (and perhaps it should be), these maniacs would be waving the flag high and proud.
On the more frantic, over the top cuts, one can draw instant comparison to Savage Grace and early Lizzy Borden. Frontman Joel Starr’s high pitched shrieks and wails may turn off some, but so perfectly fit the mood of “The Dark Mirror”, “Graveyard Eyes”, and the title track, all of which fit the speed metal bill to a T. Hell, the seething aggression of “Betrayal” even borders on thrash at its earliest, its balance between fast and midtempo riffs reminiscent of Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All or Anthrax’s Fistful of Metal. But alas, these songs are not thrash, nor blackened, nor even metalpunk. No, this is pure speed guaranteed to make you bleed.
Standing in contrast to these supersonic rippers are glammed out forays “Shadow Mistress” and “Nasty Reputation”. The former is a reminder of just how pivotal euro metal was on the early Sunset Strip scene (think Ratt’s debut EP, W.A.S.P.’s self titled, etc.), while the latter lives up to its name, boasting riffs, choruses, and a piss and vinegar attitude straight off Quiet Riot’s Metal Health. Throw in the anthemic “The Invitation”, Grim Reaper on crack “Morphina”, and cryptic “Horror’s Unseen”, and you’ve got one mutha of an 80s metal worship album.
While I haven’t listened to Leathürbitch’s past 2 releases in quite some time, I do consider Shattered Vanity to be more exciting and memorable off the bat than Into the Night. It’s almost as if there’s an urgency to this collection after a 4 year absence, as if the band is screaming in the listener’s ear, “Don’t ditch us for yet another third-rate Enforcer clone (or even the new Enforcer album for that matter)! We’re still here!” The Leathürbitch is back. Stone cold sober as a matter of fact? Probably not, but that’s fine by me.
7 out of 10
Label: Shadow Kingdom Records
Genre: Heavy/Speed Metal
For fans of: Lizzy Borden, Savage Grace, Grim Reaper