★★★★
Following the success of their debutBarbed Wire Metalin 2011 and theHeart RacerEP in 2015 ,Elm Street are firing up the metal scene with their new albumKnock ’Em Out… With A Metal Fist.
It’s an adrenaline-booster, with an explosion of twin guitar riffs and drums that instantly make you want to headbang.
The record starts off with ‘Face The Reaper’, which opens with acoustics that layer the song with a tender overtone, but then weaves some smashing guitar riffs and drums to break up the softness. Vocalist Ben Batres screams and you suddenly feel like you’re on a roller coaster as that fast-paced hardcore bliss breaks out. It is pure metal, and absolutely amazing.
‘Kiss The Canvas’ kicks off with soaring guitars and upbeat drums, while ‘Sabbath’ boasts a catchy drum beat that gallops throughout the song. ‘Heart Racer’ has some phenomenal guitar riffs, and when Batres snarls, “Back on the streets, on the run from the law / See us coming, she sent me back for more”, it completes the rebellious rock’n’roll vibe of the track.
The album concludes with ‘Leave It All Behind’, a melodic song that showcases the band’s softer side. But we won’t be leaving this behind anytime soon.
Elm Street‘sKnock ’Em Out… With A Metal Fistis out now on Firestarter.
