Year : 2019
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 88 mb
Bio:
Hells Headbangers announces the signing of California's Pounder. The first fruit of this union shall be the band's highly anticipated debut album, Uncivilized, which is expected for release through the label during the spring of 2018. Pounder's debut album shall be preceded by a 7" vinyl EP, Faster Than Fire, which will see release through Shadow Kingdom Records by the beginning of next year. For now crank their Heavy Metal Disaster demo below for a taste of what's to come!Pounder specialize in dealing out classic heavy metal tunes, expertly crafted and executed, drawing from their NWOBHM influences with hints of early '80s speed metal, Sunset Strip flash, and AOR accessibility. The band was borne out of the members' long-standing love for classic NWOBHM and traditional metal in general. After kicking around in the backburner of main songwriter Matt Harvey's (of Exhumed, Gruesome, and Expulsion) imagination for a few years, he and bassist Alejandro Corredor (Nausea LA, live bassist for Vallenfyre) met guitarist Tom Draper (Carcass, ex-Angel Witch), an Englishman relocated to California, and they quickly bonded over their love of classic metal and hard rock.It didn't take long for things to start coalescing for Pounder once Harvey decided to take over vocal duties himself, after searching for a singer without any luck. In February 2017, the trio (with the aid of North Carolina-based session drummer Carlos Donegean) entered Trench studios in Corona, California to record seven songs, four of which became their Heavy Metal Disaster demo (released on cassette through Swords and Chains Records in Chicago). The other three songs will be featured on their forthcoming EP for Shadow Kingdom, Faster Than Fire, which will also include their live cover of the Angel Witch classic "Sweet Danger." The EP will be a teaser for their 2018 debut LP, Uncivilized, which the band will be recording this fall in Southern California.A statement from the band reads: "We're well pleased to have inked a deal with Hells Headbangers and Shadow Kingdom! They do great work, and we're humbled to be on the roster. We're all really excited to get to work onUncivilized. We are ready to up the dose to fully lethal levels of bone-rattling, neighbor-terrorizing, senses-shattering heavy metal!"
Album:
POUNDER calls Los Angeles their home base and were founded in 2016. The band is a virtual all-star Metal lineup. Matt Harvey (EXHUMED, GRUESOME & EXPULSION), Alejandro Corredor (Nausea LA, VALLENFYRE), and Tom Draper (Ex ANGEL WITCH, CARCASS & Crowing Glory). Together, this talented three piece meld together a captivating blend of NWOBHM, 80’s Thrash Metal with a touch of the Sunset Strip. The band’s sound has a sense of familiarity, yet enough distinct uniqueness as to appeal to fans of many sub-genres of Metal. This is no frills, fun, in your face music, that shouldn’t be taken too seriously.“Uncilvilized” is my second review opportunity with POUNDER. I’m pretty happy about it too. I last reviewed their EP “Faster Than Fire” giving it a solid 9/10. I’m happy to report that “Uncivilized” is a fine reward for those that enjoyed the EP release, as it captures and expands upon that magic. Great riffs, power chords galore, thundering drums and bass, speed, and ballads. “Uncivilized” has it all. The album opens with a song that sound give you a sense of who POUNDER is. “Fuck Off and Die” immediately showcases all that the band has to offer. Chugging guitars and bass and driving drums, and a subject matter that, well, seems self explanatory. This is simply a great Metal anthem. How could it not be?The title track “Uncivilized” picks up right where the album opener left off. It’s a pure headbanger from the start, and a song that manages to showcase the whole band at various points. This is a constant theme throughout, with all of the instruments prominent in the mix. Always nice to see, but often missed by other bands. “Red Hot Leather” is another balls out rager, and possibly the fastest tempo song on the album, start to finish. Here’s your 80’s Speed Metal. “Long Time No Love” slows things down a bit, with a nice little power ballad with a fabulous solo featured from Draper. “We Want the Night” and “The Mists of Time” returns the band to the previous breakneck pace.“Answer the Call” slows things down again, before “The Evil One” closes this one out. Unfortunately, not included on the album due to production timing, the band has also recorded a powerful ballad called “Desert Rain”. The song has been released via their Bandcamp page and is a tribute to drummer Carlos Denogean who recently passed away from a brain hemorrhage. Denogean worked as a studio drummer for POUNDER and was last wielding the sticks for WEEDEATER. So, while the song isn’t included on “Uncivilized”, it deserves to be heard. The song can be downloaded for free, though contributions to Denogean’s family can be made as well. A worthy cause, and a beautiful song as well.POUNDER is a band that I’ve really come to like. A lot. Maybe it’s the old school Metal feel, or the no nonsense attitudes. Or more likely, it’s the well crafted songs being executed so damn well. I really hope to see this band’s trajectory continue to rise, and “Uncivilized” should be a fine starting point for those wishing to join the ride. The album drops on February 22nd and deserves to be on every Metalhead's radar. Here's hoping that a large scale tour follows. This is a band that must be tremendous fun in a live environment.
Line-Up:
Matt Harvey - Guitars (rhythm), Vocals - See also: Dekapitator, Exhumed, Expulsion, Gruesome, Cretin (live), ex-Athrenody, Cadaverizer, ex-Gravehill, ex-Noothgrush, ex-Repulsion, ex-Exodus (live), ex-Scarecrow
Tom Draper - Guitars (lead) - See also: Carcass, ex-Primitai, ex-Savage Messiah, ex-Angel Witch (live), ex-Crowning Glory
Alejandro Corredor - Bass - See also: Nausea, Sin Salida, ex-Dia de los Muertos, ex-Kariwa, ex-Vallenfyre (live)
Tracklist:
01. Fuck Off And Die
02. Uncivilized
03. Red Hot Leather
04. Long Time No Love
05. We Want The Night
06. The Mists Of Time
07. Answer The Call
08. The Evil One
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
