Ranger — Skull Splitting Metal

Ranger are a Finish metal band who mix together old school trash, NWOBHM, and 80’s fist pumping metal. Skull Splitting Metal offers up a selection of rare & out print tracks from the bands early days- and simply put it’s a great fist punching, beer spilling, and head- banging ride.

The project started up in 2008, but really listening to this CD you’d think it dates from the late 70’s/ early 80’s, as there is nothing modern about this; either in it’s metal craft or production. Musically the band brew-up a raw ‘n’ ragged broth of trash/ speed metal( with hints of  very early Anthrax, Metallica, and Slayer),  more rapid & lo-fi NWOBHM( think a less polished early Maiden), and generally sleazy/ beer bound metal( ala venom ). Vocally lead singer sounds like a mix of Tom Araya( with more sustained highs) , standard 80’s metal singer, and a slight punk edge. Most of the tracks here fit in the mid-to- fast range, but there are one or two slower paced moments; but it never goes ballad like- this stays true metal through-out!.

Even though this is a compilation the quality of tracks are pretty consistent & enjoyable through-out, making it an effective retro metal ride from start to finish. In summing if you pine for the days of speedy, lo-fi, and ragged metal, Skull Splitting Metal will be right up your street, or down your alley!