Dead Heat - World At War
Rustbelt Rock Reviews
By: Z.M. Delgado
Zackolantern.com
Volume #5: Dead Heat -“World at War”
Release date: June 2021
Triple-B Records
The album in today’s review is closing in on its first birthday at this point, but better late than never, right? Without further delay, in this installment of Rustbelt Rock Reviews I am examining Oxnard, California’s Dead Heat and their pulse pounding new album “World at War.” I stumbled upon this group by sheer luck or through good strategy, depending on how you see it. As I’ve mentioned before, I always like to arrive to the show as early as possible so I can see the opening acts. Sometimes this is a snoozefest or just laughable labels plugs, however when I walked into Cleveland’s legendary Grog Shop last November, my efforts were rewarded. As always, Chen Killingsworth was by my side, as was my little brother Face and Swamp Donkey (Guitarist of Akron’s Rabid Reason). Now as Chen and I are devout Metalheads; Face and Swampy are Punks. What brought us to the same venue that night, you ask? Well one of those bands who seamlessly merge the two scenes: Municipal Waste. It would be three other bands and many hours before they played though, so with tall cans of PBR in hand, we addressed the stage in preparation for the openers. Little did we know, something we hadn’t planned on was about to unfold.
The room was literally cold, on this Northcoast night as Dead Heat took the stage. Aside from a few diehards and members of their road team, they were largely unknown to the crowd. Front man Chris later confessed it was their first trip to Cleveland. It was time for Dead Heat and the Grog Shop to get acquainted, and I am happy to report we hit it off fabulously. I could go on and on about that set, because it was fabulous and intense. From the crowd working itself into a frenzy as they bought in to the band more with each successive song, to Chris swinging from the rafters of the Grog, almost instinctively, completely unaware that this is a Cleveland tradition for any Frontman who isn’t holding a guitar. Dead Heat fed off the crowd, and I couldn’t help but notice they seemed surprised and appreciative of Cleveland’s response. Now I tell you all this, so I you understand why I immediately headed over to the merch table to pick up the new album. With a live set that powerful, I had to see if they could translate it into the studio. There I caught up with Frontman Chris, Drummer Yogi and Rhythm Guitarist Jnut. They took some time with me, thanked me for my support and happily signed my CD. In addition, they praised Grog Shop and our scene and promised to be back. A promise I know Cleveland’s Metalheads and Punks will hold them too.
So, about that album… “World at War” is front to back nothing short of a sledge hammer to the sternum. Twelve tracks, clocking in at about 33 minutes, it starts hard and fast, and doesn’t let up except for its frequent brutally breakdowns. My mp3 player lists them as Punk, but I disagree to a certain extent. They do have many Punk elements, for sure, but there is more to them than that. They are too heavy to be Punk, but they are to Hardcore to be Thrash and way too technical to be Metalcore. I don’t know how to classify their sound, and I think to do so would do them a disservice. They are an amalgam of all the best parts of the many faces of Thrash. If I had to compare them to one band, it would be the legendary Suicidal Tendencies. It’s not a perfect comparison, I know, but the energy and spirit is there. When I hear Chris and company chanting “The man is keeping us down” on Sick Society I could easily envision it being sung by Psycho Mike. Lyrical themes about personal struggles, loyalty and social issues are frequent, and powerfully expressed, on this collection.
The album opens with a banger about broken trust called “Subterfuge” that sets the tone for the entire album: Machine gun drum work, screaming guitars, consistently grooving bass lines and breakdowns to crack the earth beneath us. The vocal patterns and shouted choruses fill the speakers and give you a taste of that live energy I witnessed. The title track of the album paints a nightmarish picture of our planet descending into a post apocalyptic hell, over a chugging rhythm that demands a circle pit. Similarly the final cut, “Pay the Toll,” explodes with a squealing lead before drums set a meter befitting a cold blooded killing machine. Conversely, “Last Call” is a critical look at alcoholism in the scene, with has an ironic “drinking song” feel that makes you want to hoist a beer in the air and sing along. My favorite song on the album hands down is “Deathwish.” This song is an absolute monster. It builds with snare rolls, like you’d hear as you’re led towards a firing squad. The subsequent track is of such intensity I won’t even dare to capture its sound. The lyrics are powerful, the solo rips and the breakdown it closes with makes me want to smash the nearest inanimate object every time I listen to it. This song is the crown jewel on an album that I consider a must listen.
So, yes, I love this record and highly recommend it. If you don’t enjoy the Punkier side of Thrash Metal, this band might not be for you. (You certainly couldn’t recommend any country or NSBM band to me, no matter how much you talked it up. I would undoubtedly throw it away, before I would listen to it.) However, if you’re a fan of Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed, D.R.I., Municipal Waste, or dozens of other bands that walk in the spaces between Thrash and Punk, this is a band that is worth your time and money. Dead Heat is still out there on tour. They are young, hungry and passionate. They are working their asses off, both on the stage and behind the scenes making Underground Metal happen for all of us. The three band members I’ve had the pleasure of talking with were more than happy to do so, and very appreciative of my support. I urge you, my Metal brothers and sisters, give them yours.
Follow up: Since writing this review I have had time to talk with Swamp Donkey, and I asked him for a punk perspective on the record. This is what he said: “To me, from a punk dude’s standpoint, it’s like Slayer, Suicidal, DRI, Agnostic Front and SOIA had an ear orgy and dumped their loads in our collective cochlea and June 4th, 2021 World at War was born….” He went on to say, “It’s a really good album though… it’s nice to see in a world of 8-20 string guitars (Djent shit) that some bands are getting back to brass tacks. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Absolutely nothing to gripe about… fuckin’ solid.”
(Dead Heat- “World at War”: A young band with intensity, passion and principals. For those of us who appreciate the style/sound, this is an essentially flawless album. 9/10)
Linktr.ee/deadheat805 Deadheat420@gmail.com
