You can always count on Japan when it comes to heavy metal that has the same fire and spirit as the classics from the 80s, and this remains true for Tokyo based Verdalack. While they may have only formed under that name a few years back, Verdalack’s roots go back to 2008 with the group Assault Attack where they had more of a thrash-oriented sound. Under this new name, the approach has shifted towards speed metal and heavy metal but there are also hints of 80s Japanese hardcore that have snuck in to give the material a feel of its own. The band’s debut Force from the Grave keeps things hyper focused, offering eight intense tracks in just under half an hour, and while there’s room to switch up the formula a bit more this is still a strong first showing that will appeal to fans of everything 80s metal related.
One of the first things you’ll notice when listening to Force from the Grave is how well Verdalack has nailed that timeless speed/heavy metal sound. There’s a decent amount of rawness to the recording and the way the drums pop makes this album fit in well alongside a slew of other material that actually came out in the 80s, but the band has kept enough clarity that you can distinguish the leads and solos on each song. Songwriting wise things do fall into a formula fairly quickly, as the majority of the tracks emphasize pounding drums and fast paced riffs that hit hard with some lower tonality but sneak in some subtle melodies into the mix. Depending on the depth of your speed/heavy metal catalog you’re likely to hear different influences, but to my ears this fell somewhere between Warhead, Destructor, and some earlier Jag Panzer which is an appealing mix. There are also slight hints of the 80s Japanese hardcore/Burning Spirits scene in the forcefulness of the instrumentation and intensity, which does give Verdalack some differences from other modern speed metal bands. It’s an enjoyable ride that doesn’t let off the gas for the entire twenty-nine-minute run, though admittedly the similar rhythms did make some of the eight songs blur together over repeat listens. This is where there is still some room for the band to expand and vary up the attack, as a few more unexpected transitions into solos or other elements could go a long way in making individual moments stand out.
Military Shadow/Bafomet guitarist Branded Rebel handles vocals for Verdalack, and he has a much gruffer pitch that reverberates over the recording. This type of sung/yelled pitch tends to be a bit of an acquired taste, but it reminds me quite a bit of Baphomet’s Blood and Speedwolf so if you like either of those groups you’re likely to enjoy what the primary style is on Force from the Grave. The other style you’ll hear over the course of the album is the falsetto, which Verdalack uses at key moments to ramp up the energy level even further. The back and forth between the two on songs like “Into the Flames” works well, and while there are a few moments that are a bit rough around the edges the non-stop intensity makes up for it.
Verdalack has all the ingredients that I love about Japanese bands like this, as the production is spot on, the intensity never lets up, and the vocals blend some hardcore in with the metal falsettos. But the songwriting falls into some patterns early on that make some of the tracks run together, and that does keep the material from reaching that same level as some of the classics it was inspired by. Some tweaks could easily make album two that much more impactful, and I’ll be waiting to hear what the band chooses to do from here. In the meantime, if you want some concise and high energy speed metal, this should fit the bill nicely. Force from the Grave is available from Hells Headbangers Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg