RAWHEAD REXX – Rawhead Rexx

Every once in a while, I feel like calling the originality police. But every once in a while, I don’’ reach out for the phone after all. Just like when I hear the debut from Germany’s Rawhead Rexx, which sounds more US power metal than all the German/Italian Helloween “wannabes”. This is classic heavy metal with riff-o-ramas and clean high-pitched vocals, and yeah, you’ve heard it all before. But somehow, when quality is this good, you can’t deny it. This is such a treat. The singer has an incredible range, and the melodies are Mike Tyson-strong. On the other hand: “Hey Folks – this record is guaranteed without any fucking keyboards!” I sometimes wonder why. Keyboards never did damage to heavy metal as long as they’re used the right way. Let’s cut the Manowar image and grow up.

That’s my only complaint, as Rawhead Rexx will, along with Brainstorm, lead Germany’s premier metal scene for years to come. And for the computer freaks; a PC game is included… Watch out for the band at this year’s Wacken Open Air, late scheduled with pyrotechnics and a lot of fun…