There were great expectations from LEATHERHEAD since the very beginning of the existence of the band, from all those who monitor closely the Hellenic metal scene, either those are the people around the Forgotten Scroll forum or other people in Greek fanzines that have already interviewed and presented the band and of course from all those die-hard metal fans who already witnessed the band performing live and support it.
It didn’t matter that this was about and regarding a fresh new band, formed in 2022 and its back catalogue was just the single ‘’Tomahawk’’ with a couple of songs. Many of the aforementioned people have observed that LEATHERHEAD had a vast amount of talent and potential.
Today with the band’s self-titled debut album, these people feel absolutely justified regarding their expectations and predictions about the band.
In their debut album LEATHERHEAD are delivering speedy heavy metal in the vein of a sound that we use to call US Power Metal or USPM in short.
Just listen to the ‘’bone crashing’’ first single ‘’Equinox’’ and you will definitely understand what I am talking about. Pure raging galloping rhythms, amazing quality vocals by Tolis Mekras, anthemic chorus, thrashy drumming by Michalis Zounarakis and a warm sound production straight from the golden era of the ‘80s.
It brings in mind the masterpieces of AGENT STEEL, early OVERKILL era of the first two beloved albums, HELSTAR, SAVAGE GRACE and the band name dropping could continue forever with numerous other giants of USPM.
LEATHERHEAD have been influenced by this glorious heritage, passed it through their personal unique filter and released a masterpiece. It is a sound that really reminds the triumphant days of the past, a music that is really rare to find nowadays, among all those hundreds of releases on monthly basis, which is why this album made me feel really happy and proud.
The same comments that I mentioned for ‘’Equinox’’, go also for the fist-pumping songs ‘’Dressed to Kill’’ and ‘’Vampire’s Kiss’’, with the intricate blistering riffing by Zach Karambasis and Thanos Metalios that is colored vibrantly by the bass of George Bradley.
Mekras’ voice has an incredible extension that can perform in a very wide sound spectrum. From high pitch notes to melodic anthemic verses – choruses and from thrashy aggressiveness to dramatic music recitals. I would also say at this point, that SACRAL RAGE is a band that comes to my mind and that is capable to deliver such a huge outcome in a kind of similar sound. 
I will not go in a track-by-track analysis. I wanted just to mention some personal highlights of the record. There are no filler tracks whatsoever and all songs are excellent. Listen to the song ‘’When Death Is Near’’ and tell me if this not similar to a wonderful Geoff Tate style performance of the early era of QUEENSRŸCHE, then tell me what it is!
Yes, I could continue writing about every bigger or smaller marvelous detail about the album but that is not my point.
My point for the metal fans out there, reading those lines, is to convey the message, that this is not another just good heavy metal release.
This is a must buy album, an album that if you don’t add it as soon as possible in your record collection, tomorrow you will regret it for not doing so. This is a huge, huge, HUGE and classic album already for the Hellenic metal scene and that is a personal prediction, that I believe will be fulfilled 101%.
The awesome cover art is by Mario Lopez.
Last but not least. I mentioned earlier that releases like that make me happy and proud. Allow me to elaborate a little bit on that in the epilogue of my review.
I feel happy because a Greek label like No Remorse Records have a great roster of bands in the realm of the classic, traditional, heavy / power and Epic heavy metal and is leading the way in the worldwide scene, with splendid releases that is keeping the flame alive.
Furthermore, I feel also proud, as a fan, because the Hellenic metal scene is gaining popularity worldwide and becoming well known and established, not only for its legendary black metal scene (which is established more than 3 decades now) but also for its classic / traditional heavy metal scene.
‘’Leatherhead’’ will be released on the 25th of October 2024 by No Remorse Records and will be available on LP, CD and Digital format.
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Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
