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Knuckle Duster

      
         
         
         
     
             
Asomvel are a heavy metal band from the UK formed in 1993 by (guitarist) Lenny Robinson and (bass/vocalist) Jay Jay Winter. After a couple of demo releases and 2007's 'Full Moon Dog' E.P. Asomvel released their debut full length album 'Kamikaze' in 2009. Tragedy struck the band the following year with the death of their singer Jay Jay in a car accident. In 2013 the band recruited Conan as their  replacement singer and released 'Knuckle Duster' in 2013.    
             
The new album kicks off with the raucous 'Dead Set On Living', a storm of drums and heavy guitar riffs, with a very British, very traditional heavy metal sound. And talking of traditional sounds, the iconic guitar sound of the NWOBHM greets the listener as 'Trash Talker' stomps into sight. A foot stomping, head banging romp, 'Trash Talker' is classic early eighties metal, while 'Sheep In Wolf's Clothing' increases the levels of tempo, urgency and energy, steaming ahead at full tilt. 'Cash Whore' increases the pace and rattles along at speed with some very good guitar work.    
             
Asomvel are standing tall and proud for British heavy metal and in the shape of 'Waster' slow the pace right down to a near doom metal swagger. by contrast, the heavy riff driven 'Shoot Ya Down' is classic "foot on the monitor" style traditional heavy metal. The title song 'Knuckle Duster' sounds raw and aggressive, and it's really only now that you begin to realise just how similar the Asomvel sound is to that of the iconic and legendary Motorhead. The British band are an inspiration for many, and it would appear that they have had a massive impact on Asomvel.    
             
'Wrecking Ball' chugs into life with an awesome guitar riff and is more melodic than anything else on the album. On the flip side of that, pace and tempo is upped as 'Final Hour' flies by in a furious flurry of guitar and drums. The quickest (and shortest) song on the album is 'Stranglehold' which has power, pace, and immediacy, as it hurtles by in a breath taking one minute and forty eight seconds. Bringing the album to a close, is 'Hangman's Rope', a fine example of everything that British heavy metal stands for. Asomvel proudly fly the British flag high in support of British heavy metal.    
             
Overall, traditional British heavy metal at its bombastic best. Thunderous drums and bass, blistering guitar solos and powerful vocals, all guaranteed to keep your head banging.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Temple    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
World Shaker      
           
"a highly Motorhead influenced gallop of punk tinged and foot on the monitor style heavy metal, Asomvel deliver an infectious album" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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