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Cell XIX

    
       
       
       
     
             
Bullet-Proof are a heavy/thrash metal band from Italy releasing their debut album 'De-Generation' in 2015. The bands sophomore album 'Forsaken One' was released in 2017, with third album 'Cell XIX' a 2022 release.    
             
The bands meld of traditional, power, and thrash metal, is an intriguing combination, and one that works very well. Where 'Forsaken One' was primarily thrash based, 'Cell XIX' has no base - the album a forty minute style varying journey of twists and turns with genre border hopping a constant activity. Not that it's a bad thing - oh no, far from it. The exciting not knowing where we're headed next is like having your eyes closed on a roller coaster! The one minute intro 'Endovena' is a chilling and atmospheric build up to the albums opening song proper, the full on and fast paced 'Brainocide' - the bands core thrash metal roots shining through. Aggressive and full of anger, 'Brainocide' is a barnstormer, with a heavy melodic presence across the chorus break. What an opener! Maintaining the albums blistering pace, 'When Truth And Trust Collapsed' powers on with intent and purpose, adopting a majestic thunderous foot stomping attitude when the vocals kick in. Very much a heavier hitter than the opening song, 'When Trust And Truth Collapsed' shows the bands varying approach to their hard hitting musical direction. And hitting harder than a wrecking ball in full swing, 'Paralyzed' bludgeons the senses with a ferociousness that knows no limits. The weaker among us may suffer some bruises, cuts, and broken bones - the much stronger die hards (like myself) are standing up to the band, toe to toe, yelling "is that all you got!"...    
             
...and "no" is the deafening response from Bullet-Proof - the band moving into a mid tempo cacophony of brutality... 'No Future' pummelling the ears with a ferocity that may induce bleeding from said appendages! I hope you know the number of the local A&E services, 'cause you just may have to call them by the end of the album. Title song 'Cell XIX' takes the album back into thrash territory, the pace brutally ferocious as it storms on. The fire and brimstone nature of 'Cell XIX' (the song) is red hot, scorching, no searing the Earth as it blazes past at high velocity. The mosh pits of the world are gonna go fucking crazy for this one - the savage barrage of thrash just incredible! Changing gears, the band slow down for the "heavy metal" sounding 'Cold Sigh', a much more melodic feel rising high to the surface. Think traditional metal and the iconic NWOBHM, and you'll have some idea of how 'Cold Sigh' sounds. A welcome breather from the breathless pace of the album so far.    
             
Adopting a groove metal mid tempo stomp, Bullet-Proof slam the listeners to the floor with the pounding rhythm of 'Undeniable Decline' - the heavy barrage a savage beating that'll make ABH and GBH seem like a minor tickle! The band increase the pace as 'Undeniable Decline' progresses, dishing out more bone breaking, skull crushing savagery than ever! Did I really say this album was less thrashy than its predecessor? Yea, I did - probably 'cause 'Cold Sigh' was the first song I heard and you know what first impressions are like...often wrong! Anyways, the band continue their foot stomping attitude with 'Perfectly Divided People', wielding a hefty hammer blow to the senses. And when the band changes gear, wow - the electrifying pace fast enough to break the fucking sound barrier. The head bangers of the world are gonna be breaking their necks trying to keep up with this! 'Perception Of Reality' brings the curtain down a cracking thrash metal based album (see, I can change my mind on first impressions), maintaining the ferocious streak that runs right through the bands latest offering. With 'Perception Of Reality' swinging from thrash to traditional metal, Bullet-Proof sign off on their third album with a song that has equal appeal to fans of both genres.    
             
Overall, a heavy hitting, fast paced and ferocious rampage of thrash, with added nuances of traditional metal.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Forsaken One      
           
"an album of infectious thrash metal that is addictive and will keep fans head banging hard, for a very long time to come" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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