From their sophomore album Still At Large, HEAVY Metal act Imperial Slave brings us their new single Exterminate.

Consisting of vocalist Sam Sheppard, guitar players Isaac Lundy and Anthony Hati, bass player Achilles Manley and drummer Matt Wright, these guys bring you an absolute roar through the genre. I’m open about my musical tastes, and I don’t quite go this heavy as a rule – but that doesn’t stop me from recognising exceptional performance and well crafted Metal when I see and hear it.

The drums first. Characteristic of the genre is a high tempo and complex collection of percussion tools. This doesn’t disappoint, which one would expect from a player with Matt Wright‘s pedigree in the industry. Tempo and form changes aplenty in this single give you some insight into just how accomplished a player he is. He’s accompanied by a well-woven, thunderous and deep bass, giving the bottom end an extremely hot sound, full and brazen. Something to make your entire endoskeleton shake when you close in on the bass stack at their show.

Up-tempo, well rehearsed and precision-performed riffs are all over this track. Fast-paced but not loose, showing the guitar players for the professionals they are, one can appreciate the playing for what it is. Rhythm guitar on something illegal from Walter White’s kitchen. On top of this is some sharks-tooth sharp lead shredding, which again avoids a cacophony in favour of obvious composition.

Finally we meet vocalist Sam. He can roar with every one of the top name acts in the genres that fall under the generic umbrella of Heavy Metal. A menacing, piercing presence, Sam takes us through the lyrics with angst and fury. This is something to help you let out what this music helps you to release. Scream at the world. Hate things while you articulate to meet the mood this gets you in. And then breathe. Such a level of catharsis that’s possible can be incredible following a protracted burial of your psyche in this music.

This is for the rock show, or the underground club. The concert. In a car with your mates, windows down so you offend the Nimbys you pass because you must play this loud. Do it. Put Imperial Slave on, because these guys know how to create leading and original music in this genre. Your old folks will call it noise. It is noisy – but it’s the sound of a band that has delivered a classy track.

Check it on their Spotty Fly, or on ours! Nicely nasty. >-)