Wastelander

Planet Metal, run by Chris Black (Pharaoh, Dawnbringer, occasionally Nachtmystium), seems to be an indie label to watch if you're into the extreme stuff or, oddly, the melodic NWOBHM side of things. Here, Michigan's Wastelander make like Darkthrone and combine Motörhead with Impaled Nazarene, with a heaping dose of old Celtic Frost and Venom to top it off. Give it some crap production and sloppy playing and, man, this is great stuff. The artwork and overall feel add a nice '80s thrash touch to it, heck, there's even a bit of a crossover vibe here (can I namedrop Nuclear Assault, please?). Is it one-dimensional, crude and a bit atavistic in its ways? Hells yeah, and it hits the spot so perfectly it'll make your weak little head spin. Welcome to planet metal. Wastelander are your head-banging hosts.