Though I’d like to think I’m largely hip to the 21st century glam metal/hard rock scene, every now and then a band will cross my radar who’ll make me say, “Wow, where were you hiding?” One such band is Speed Stroke, who are on the verge of dropping their fourth album, Damage Control. Apparently, the Italian outfit formed as far back as 2010, and have been releasing music sporadically ever since. Such inconsistency would explain why they haven’t been as prolific as say a Crazy Lixx or Temple Balls or Crashdïet, and makes a title like Damage Control all the more appropriate.
The front half of Damage Control gives the impression of a glam metal band trying their hand at a traditional metal album, similar in execution to Slave to the Grind era Skid Row. The opening “Glorious Breakdown” is indeed glorious, rampaging around like a raging bull, dealing in full throttle speed. It might just be the strongest cut on here, though that’s not to say this album goes downhill after. Songs like the title track, “State of Shock”, and “In Flames” further expand upon these traditional tropes, boasting leather-studded riffs, Priest/Maiden-esque soloing, and gargantuan choruses, complete with textbook glammy gang vocals.
The lyrics to “Italian Coglione” are a tad absurd for my liking, though the music itself adheres to this aforementioned heavy-glam hybrid, while the swaggering “Heart of the City” reminds us that Speed Stroke are a glam metal band at the core. Easily the strongest of the “true” glam metal cuts on this album, we’ve got some thick, sultry riffs and blues-infused attitude, reminiscent of Lynch Mob in their early ’90s heyday. If nothing else, this song is proof that Speed Stroke are capable of pulling off hard rock with as much conviction as old school metal.
Unfortunately, things begin to taper off after “In Flames”. “Blessed by Misery” is yet another bluesy hard rocker with a big chorus. It’s fine for what it is, though not as effective as “Heart of the City” for my money. Meanwhile, “All for the Weak End” subjects us to the contractually obligated whiteboy funkified hard rock that became par the course for glam metal circa ’89, as I mentioned in my review of the latest Iconic album. It was a bad look then and has only gotten worse with age. Similar to “Blessed”, “Walls” is decent, but could pass for any 21st century glam metal revivalists. Thankfully, “Chain Reaction” brings things to a tasteful close, treating us to a boogie-laden slab of hairspray-drenched ZZ Top worship (Rest in power Frank “Rube” Beard!).
Select missteps aside, Damage Control is a highly enjoyable glam metal record. The guitarwork is absolutely top shelf, proudly boasting fist-pumping riffage and sizzling hot solos from top to bottom. The production is clear and cranking, ideal for one to turn to maximum volume while tearing up the highway at maximum speed. Oh yeah, and frontman Jack can belt out some powerhouse Sebastian Bach-esque vocals. I’m not sure if he’s thrown his hat into the Skid Row ring just yet, but I couldn’t recommend him for the job enough, as he’d be the next best thing for that band aside from Erik Grönwall and, you know, Baz himself. Damage Control is a stroke of glam metal gold from Speed Stroke, and certainly worth a spin whether you’ve got a head of hair or not!
7 out of 10
Label: Scarlet Records
Genre: Glam Metal
For fans of: Skid Row, Crashdïet, H.E.A.T
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