Awright, let’s go with MAIDENHEAD and its sophomore record, Maximum Clonage, self-released and out now. The album serves up a deliberate blend of thrash and death metal, and the results are mostly very tasty indeed.
With guitarist Vance Simmons and vocalist Zeping “Bella” Song joining Zack Roberts (guitar), Lawrence Lee (bass), and Andre Forero (drums), MAIDENHEAD has a refreshed lineup firing on all cylinders. This is the sound of an angry horde looking to spill some blood.
Across six proper songs, we’re treated to a serious bevy of heavy, beginning with “False Masked Hero.” This was the undisputed favorite for me, thanks in no small part to Song’s fearsome delivery and some seriously shredding solos.
“Death March” is another winner, alongside “Kill or Be Killed,” which eventually became my other favorite. Opener and title track “Maximum Clonage” gets the party started in a hurry and should have heads banging in no time.
“Magia Obscura” carries a groove that calls to mind MEGADETH circa Rust in Peace, and that’s a compliment. Then, closer “Burst Stream of Destruction” curb-stomps you one last time for good measure.
It’s only right!
All in all, MAIDENHEAD delivered a good one with album No. 2, and I have zero problem recommending Maximum Clonage to anyone looking for another dose of thrash/death metal fury. The future looks bright for this band, and I, for one, will be watching to see what comes next.
STANDOUT TRACKS: “False Masked Hero,” “Kill or Be Killed,” “Death March”
RATING: 8/10
—THE MAESTRO
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