by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Senior Columnist —
They’re young, loud and proud, their 2011 EP Welcome To The Wicked Side gained some rave reviews from all around the world, and now they strike with what is their self-titled debut album. A four-piece heavy metal band from Poland, Wicked Side claim to have been inspired by the likes of Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Metallica or the Russian Ария. While there is no doubt about their music being largely influenced by the whole legion of their heavy and thrash metal ancestors, the Bialystok-based band are no copycats and on their way to define their own “wicked” sound, Wicked Side being a clear proof of this fact.
“Welcome to the wicked side, it’s nice to see you here…” That’s how the opening track on the album “Something Wicked” starts, with some fast metal riffs in the background. The first few seconds into the track, it’s getting absolutely clear what Wicked Side is all about – the traditional flavor of guitar-laden, rough metal sound, no sugar and no radio-friendliness allowed. “Heavy Metal” draws quite much from the raw NWOBHM-esque tradition, whereas its follow-up “Taste The Blood”, embroidered with a nifty riff juxtaposed with pulsating, manic work of the rhythm section, blurs the boundaries between the classic heavy and speed metal sound. With its frequent changes of pace and a sinister, atmospheric vibe to it, “Alone In The Dark” balances between the heaviness of lead guitar work and slightly Accept-esque, choir-laden choruses.
The monumental but melodic piece “Gothic Dreams” somewhat abandons the raw, rough sound aesthetics in favor of some classic power metal flavors, followed by fast pace and guitar wizardry of “Leader Of The Blind”. In spite of its relatively mellow beginning, “The Mirror” doesn’t have much in common with the typical ballad-ish convention, developing into a meaty metal piece with its thrash-infused, muscular licks and Wicked Side’s lead singer Przemyslaw Przytulo doing what is perhaps his best James Hetfield impersonation. The next handful of tracks – “To The Horizon,” “Do Or Die” and the titled one – are no slowdown too, fine compromises between the fast pace and the prowess of the instrumental section. And as you have probably guessed, with the very last song on the album it’s time to say hello to your inner ‘70s disco freak – “Hot Stuff” is a feisty metal rendition of Donna Summer’s 1979 hit single and, surprisingly, also a very convincing one.
There is no doubt about the certain descriptive potential the cover artwork of Wicked Side as the clenched fist perfectly captures what the band’s music is all about – a dose of straightforward, punchy metal riffs, aggressive vocals and rough, raw melodies that draw what’s best from the genre’s aesthetics. Wicked Side may be a young band, but it seems these studious disciples of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and the rest of the metal Pantheon have done their homework pretty well. With their old school approach to music combined with youthful energy, they make an act every denim-and-leather-clad headbanger should keep on their radar. Promising and thus much recommended.
Genre: Heavy Metal
Band:
Przemyslaw Przytulo- bass/vocals
Bernard Komarnicki – guitars
Michal Mursztyn – guitars
Bartosz Mlynarski – drums
Track List:
1. Something Wicked
2. Heavy Metal
3. Taste the Blood
4. Alone in the Dark
5. Gothic Dreams
6. Leader of the Blind
7. The Mirror
8. To the Horizon
9. Do or Die
10. Wicked Side
11. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer cover)
Label: Independent
Website: http://www.wickedside.org/ – https://www.facebook.com/wickedside/
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10
