ULTIMATUM - LEX METALIX
RETROACTIVE RECORDS
Metal To Infinity
Normally,
New Mexico based Ultimatum likes to play their way of Metal in an outstanding
thrashing manner. “Lex Metalis” which is the Latin expression for ‘Metal
Is The Law’ is the band’s fifth output and this time – Ultimatum brings on
nothing but Metal covers, let me say true Classic ones played in a thrashy way!
These guys proved in the
future what Thrash Metal is all about – even this band has a Christian
background, they know how to thrash for sure. For example, you should check out
their previously released effort entitled “Into The Pit”.. what an excellent
Thrash Metal album!! Not familiar with Ultimatum, well they have a singer that
is akin to the sound of other frontmen like Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza (ex-Legacy,
Exodus,…) or Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth from Overkill. Excellent vocals,
actually owners of a very unique way of singing. Along with virulent, aggressive
and razor sharp way of vocal tactics, these
guys are very memorable and unique in the Metal regions!
“Lex Metalis” contains
13 cover songs of their 80s idols and as sinegr Scott Waters mentioned within
the booklet – it was not that easy picking songs to fulfil the tracklist which
I understand completely. As 80 Hard Rock / Metal manic myself, I can tell there
were so many great bands / songs to enjoy that collection a small list of
favourites is damn difficult to do.
But okay, it seems like they
made it – the final tracklist look awesome and very joyful to me. Pure 80s
Metal nostalgia with songs from Metal Church (Ton Of Bricks), Saxon (Denim and
Leather), Metallica (Creeping Death), Iron Maiden (Wrathchild), Twisted Sister
(Sin After Sin), Judas Priest (Steeler), Overkill (Powersurge), Motorhead (Iron
Fist) and others. The manner Ultimatum plays this cover songs is very good. They
not cloning the songs from A to Z, on the contrary they’re able to give
somekind of a new ‘thrash’ character to each one of the tracks… which
feels real good. Tight sounds, technically is Ultimatum strong as a rock.
There is only one song
featuring on “Lex Metalis” I’ve never heard of before in my
entire 45 years of existence. The song is called ‘Locked In Chains’ played
by the band Moshketeers. Perhaps a shame on me but in any case, the way
Ultimatum plays the track is a pleasure to my ears. Be sure that I will start
digging into the band’s background history asap. Every opportunity to expand my Classic Metal knowledge - I’d like to grab
with both hands!
So, Retroactive Records did a great job
releasing Ultimatum’s new effort “Lex Metalis’. As always this label
delivers the goods – also the images covering the frontside of the 8 panel
booklet looks very METAL! Total overview: memorable Metal songs offered by a
fantastic band named Ultimatum – old school Power / Speed / Thrash Metal
maniacs should order this output immediately after reading my review… do it
via: www.ultimatum.net or
by checking out their label’s myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/retroactivewreckage
My Points: 90 / 100 (Review by Stefan)