Though we've yet to hear back from Finland's Cast Iron, who in 2008 crashed the party with its oh-so caustic and raw Leather & Metal EP, thankfully, fellow countrymen Armour loudly answered the call a year later with its rowdy as fuck romp & stomping full-length self-titled debut (also sharing a good friend's surname - suffice to say, she's elated!) released under Primitive Reaction, a fitting label if there ever was one.
For starters, a similar super strident production level is present, only here, the bass - courtesy of Pete "Sixshooter" Talker - is satisfactorily prevalent, such as with the maniacally plump, pinging line to "Satan's Knights". for instance. John Keu's hard & heavy drumming also thwacks one full-on in the face with the force of a two-by-four whilst the twin guitar barrage of Mike "Aor Jumala" Slutz and front man Vince "Werewolf" Venom (who plays or has played in too many bands to name here!) is tantamount to a heavy metal temper tantrum which, might I add, duly makes me live up to my (festive) metal-archives moniker, the latter's angry, raspy Muppet-like vocalizations withstanding.
I mean, dig the mosh pit inducing swagger of dual openers "Rock N' Roll Tonite" and "The Time Is Right", which, sardonic riff-wise, just so happens to sound like a cranky with a capital "C" dead-ringer for the anti-ecclesiastical vehemence which is Cast Iron's moment of utmost glory, "Preacher Of Evil". Then you've got a whopping smirk fest in the overtly pedestrian - but strewn with wicked, razor-sharp riffs, a killer drum beat and lewd, extravagant guitar solo - "Sex Demon" with debilitating-ly corny lines such as "Lock'n'load and ready to rumble/ Cmon baby, kneel, you gotta stay humble" or how 'bout "I've got a gun, loaded with a shot/ Girl you're gonna scream tonight/ When my bullet hits the spot"? Lord-y!
Fans of Stallion and Steel will also absolutely love this, if only for its spastic-ally amped edge and vicious undertones; personally I can't get enough of the swinging, downright edacious and veracious hand-clapping segment/breakdown at 02:49 on "Roll Out (Or Get Rocked)", following a mighty sweet lead break. Other top highlights include the weighty and commanding riff/bass line to "Can't Resist Your Spell", alongside its darkly magnificent, succubus infused verses and chorus - dig the lurid, spellbinding solo! - as well as utterly monstrous speed metal riff to closer "Heavy Metal Drinkers" (I know, I know, this track name doesn't win any prizes either), which, thanks to its drunken beer bottle clanging, brings to mind Striker's "United", a fantastic heavy metal anthem in its own right.
Overall, every song's a winner so, no disrespect, but it's imperative y'all get Armour into your cake-holes NOW - The violent violet alien's spoken!
Sample:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URQ9xItErV8&t=557s
