Music: Power Metal/Thrash
Country: Germany
Web site: www.myspace.com/officialheadhunter
Cool Songs: Remission, Egomaniac, Parasite of Society, Doomsday for the Prayer
In 1990, Schmierfront man for German thrash titans DESTRUCTIONwas sent packing. The next ten years of DESTRUCTION are quite hazy for most fans of the band. Many probably dont even know that Schmier continued his career as a bassist and vocalist, spending the first part of the 1990s fronting HEADHUNTER. The said band split just a few years after their start, and Schmier eventually rejoined DESTRUCTION. For the entire portion of the new millennium Schmier fronted DESTRUCTION; however a dozen years after its demise, Schmier and bunch have recorded another HEADHUNTER album, Parasite of Society.
Certain moments throughout Parasite of Society may resemble newer DESTRUCTION; part of this is is owing to both bands sharing the same voice. High Octane tracks such as Read My Lips and the galloping rhythm of Egomaniac both show elements made famous by DESTRUCTION. Moments like these are only in part, though, HEADHUNTER seems more influenced by German power metal than thrash. When one considers the list of bands Jörg Michael drummed forRAGE, RUNNING WILD, GRAVE DIGGER, SAXONit is no wonder HEADHUNTER has such a grasp on this classic style.
Uwe Hoffmanns guitar play on Parasite of Society gives the music that German power metal edge. Backs to the Wall features a vintage, gauntlet-garbed fist pumping riff. Remission moves through a variety of sounds capes including a harmonious opening, solos galore and a doom-filled bridge that sounds as if Uwe was jamming some Dio Sabbath or CANDLEMASS when he wrote this riff. Although not as engaging as Hoffmans guitar licks, Michaels drumming definitely keeps the action moving, especially his double bass work on the title track.
Parasite of Society is a solid mix of old school metal and middle era thrash. The musicianship is tight, catchy and diverse. Also, the sitar chime that introduces Egomaniac and the ode to the Muppets Phenomenon that closes Payback Time create stand apart passages that are easy to locate upon subsequent listens. The biggest drawback, believe it or not, is Schmiers vocals. While his nasal snarl mostly works, at times it doesnt match the bands epic and melodic passages. This clearly shows on their cover of SKID ROWs 18 and Life. While the group made the track much heavier, this song still requires a singer with a smooth voice. Schmier is not that kind of vocalist. Overall, though, fans of classic power metal and newer DESTRUCTION should try this one on for size.
note: 7/10
Tracklist
1. 3rd Man Introduction
2. Parasite Of Society
3. Silverskull
4. Remission
5. Doomsday For The Prayer
6. 18 And Life (SKID ROW Cover)
7. Read My Lips
8. Backs To The Wall
9. Egomaniac
10. The Calling
11. Payback Time
Line-up
Marcel “Schmier“ Schirmer -Vocals, Bass
Uwe “Schmuddel“ Hoffmann – Guitars
Jörg Michael – Drums
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