VOLTAX – Voltax

Neighboring the USA, Mexico’s Metal scene, over the years, always had the great potential of capturing the fumes of Heavy Metal and creating its own American scene. Nevertheless, that event has not occurred yet and the Mexican Metal scene is rather inferior and smaller even from several of the European countries. The views of Voltax, originally Voltage from Mexico City, and other Mexican bands, is that their Heavy Metal is South American more than North American and they have the intention on incorporating their views to the European scene and the world. Many arguments followed the question of South American Metal, which mostly is associated with the Brazilian scene that is rather extreme than classic.

Another issue comes to mind is the actuality of the Heavy Metal bands as Voltax and their vast similarities (or let’s say influences) to older 80s classic US and NWOBHM acts. So if there is a discussion regarding South American Metal, Voltax are way off as several other bands from Chile, Argentina, Porto Rico and other Latino countries in America. It seems that all of these bands have taken their first breath through the sounds and style of older bands from the Anglo-Saxon parties with almost no connection to their south Latino brethren.

Let’s go back to Voltax. Formed in 2006, this band developed great ambition to create classic Heavy Metal in the veins of the 80s. While spinning their debut album, Voltax, it’s hard to ignore their influences of classic eras of NWOBHM and its devoted follower, US Heavy Metal. With their influences, there are fragments of examples of older bands that answer the same criteria and follow the equivalent stream of similarities such as Obsession, Loudness, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The last two, the giants of them all, seem to be the Voltax’s stronger influences as these bands touched so many other groups along the years. It got into recognition that a good solid band who wishes to recreate the 80’s in those modern days is bound to base itself on these two bands. Voltax, as others of their circle, did just the thing.

The Voltax album was officially released in 2007 by Blower Records, two year afterwards, High Roller Records took the release, refined it and released it also on Vinyl. It must be acknowledged that High Roller Records, as a classic Metal release label, is the suitable home for these Mexican youngsters because their overall 80’s Metal music tops in the same line of normality of the signed or associated bands.

As far as the album’s quality, there is no line for error; there is a strong connection and care for 80’s Heavy Metal music. Voltax wrote tunes in favor of the great era of Metal as they inhibit the forms of NWOBHM and US Metal into some remarkable works of melodies (both on harmonized guitars and the high pitched screaming vocals) and classy riffs, suitable production with no modern trends whatsoever that has the obvious purpose for the listener to think and feel like it’s 1985.

Lastly, the flowing traditional outlines of the songs, here are few example to let in the notion (if you haven’t already experienced it): “Strong Like The Fire” , “Invaders Of Steel” , “Voltax” , “All The Metalheads” , “Rocking In The Night”. These songs can be easily found on tons of bands that passed through the 80s and it’s good to hear that the spirit still exists with all the additions of sub-genres to general Metal.

Although there is a strapping advantage, unlike in the 80s, for bands like Voltax as they pay respects, through their careers, to the gods of Classic Metal, this is a bit of a problem for the second album stage. Voltax, as loads of bands, impress with a good debut as they show the true significance of heritage, yet with the fun of it all and the nostalgic feel. Voltax have to make sure that they won’t tire themselves and their crowd because on a few areas of Voltax there is that constant use of the same formula on creating songs, even if written in high quality. Through this album it’s safe to say that Voltax knew how to write compatible 80’s material, however they must contain and pay attention to the signs of repetitiveness.

Other highlights: “Wild Of The Sea” and “Amo De Las Callejeras”