The 80s were an interesting time to be a young idiot metal fan. As NWoBHM styles gave way to the early days of thrash and speed, there was this creative tension between acts that were 100% thrash and others that were not quite there but definitely speedy and aggressive. Bands like Savage Grace, Jag Panzer, and Agent Steel walked that line between US power metal, thrash and speed and I was always very enamored with that hybrid style. This puts what Portland’s retro metal maniacs, Leathürbitch do directly in the moldy wheelhouse of Steel. Though I wasn’t floored by their 2019 Into the Night debut due to inconsistent writing, it had potential and I enjoyed the core sound due to raw, unadulterated nostalgia. A few years on we get the follow-up, Shattered Vanity, and the basic soundscape remains the same. This is dyed-in-the-wool 80s speed metal circa 1984-85 with all the cheese and excess that goes along with that rarefied era. Have they improved their Leathürwork enough to make a refined, craftsmanlike impression? That purple retro cover isn’t a grand start, authentic though it may be.
Good impressions are secured on the Trapper Keeper ripping opener, “The Dark Mirror,” which is like early Jag Panzer with frontman Joel Star managing an uncanny Harry “The Tyrant” Conklin impression in pitch and vocal phrasing. The energy level is high, the pace is speedy, and the old timey metal punches come in bunches. It’s catchy with a vintage charm and I like it muchly. The title track is more of the same – semi-thrashy, adrenaline-pumping and entertaining. From there, however, things get spotty and songs become hit or miss. “Betrayal” is hooky and crunchy, mining the territory between Panzer and Savage Grace for all its worth, and “Morphina” and closer “Horrors Unseen” are effective metal nuggets with some winning guitarwork and tempo changeups. However, cuts like “Shadow Mistress” and “Graveyard Eyes” are lesser versions of the same thing. Not bad really, but a bit less essential.
“The Invitation” has aspects I like, especially the guitarwork, and it almost works but the vocals become annoying and overly repetitive and the song drags on for too long. “Nasty Reputation” is super cringy cock/sleaze rock that I would have turned up my nose to as a teen, so it’s certainly not resonating with me as an elder metal statesman. It’s like the worst of W.A.S.P. and Anvil smashed together and damn, it’s a tough sell at the tannery. Once again the overall songsmithing is an issue, though to a lesser degree than last time. With a few snips, this would be a good album. I do give big props to the authentically 80s production and mix though, and at a fairly tight 40 minutes, Shattered Vanity is an easy enough spin even with the speed bumps.
As with last time, frontman Joel Star is the love or hate puppet show at the burning epicenter of the Leathürbitch pyreworks, wailing, screaming, and everything in-between in classic over-the-top 80s metal style. At various times he conjures memories of Tyrant, Ron Keel, Blackie Lawless and Lizzy Borden, and his commitment to excess is admirable, though he can sound out of control and sometimes out of tune. Tolerance for his high-pitched circus act is essential to the enjoyment of the material and not everybody will have that ability. Pat Sandiford and Alex Ponder are back to steal as much 80s magic as they can from their obvious influences and they do a solid job with their riffage and shredding. They nail the 80s speed/trad sound and make it come alive again. The ability is there, but the songwriting still has slips and missteps.
Teenage Steel would have eaten Shattered Vanity up if it released in the 80s, and elder Steel can still appreciate what Leathürbitch do here. It’s got some very good moments and a few unpleasant ones. It almost hits the 3.0 zone and the potential for more is still there. Select 80s freaks may get more mileage from this than me, but it isn’t bad. I’m hoping for better next time though. I think these guys have it in them.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Shadow Kingdom
Websites: leathurbitch.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/HeavyChains
Releases Worldwide: June 2nd, 2023
