SPEED LIMIT – Cut a Long Story Short (2023)
SPEED LIMIT had been around from 1979 to 1994 when the band took a break and returned in 2008. Since then the band has been active releasing three albums. Now they’re presenting new effort “Cut a Long Story Short”, which pays a tribute to many bands from the era SPEED LIMIT was formed, the late ’70s, and the whole ’80s.
Early KISS is an influence that arises in tracks as “Hit the Wall” and “Destiny’s Calling” whose guitars follow the gentle and sweet spirit of the first decade from the masked band. There’s also some UFO, Praying Mantis, Scorpions, etc. We admit that this nostalgia present on the album is one of the things that attracted us the most.
The pulsating atmosphere of the CD is really something that might attract fans as well. There are high doses of adrenaline and energy here, as album opener “Shine Brigther Than the Sun” delivers. The more melodic vocals is also a thing that contrasts with the immediate pounding giving the songs that treat of aggression and melody.
Speed Limit’s history is full of ups and downs, backs and forths and line-up changes. Of course, all of this compromises a band’s music and direction. It’s impossible to keep the same sonancy with all the changes. But, somehow, Speed Limit were able to do it.
Interestingly, vocals are in charge of drummer Hannes Vordermayer. There are very few bands whose vocals are in charge of the drummer. By the way, the vocals are the thing that called my eye about the album. There is something that sounds a little off about them and I can’t tell what it is. Maybe the mixing. However, as each album has its own charm, I confess that this is the charm of this one.
We find as well two tracks captured live to taste the band on stage. “Sweet Morphine” is a bit faster delivering that good old times Saxon’s drumming. The song addresses a little to Saxon not only for the drumming but also for the guitars.
“Retired Hero” has a bit of an Iron Maiden taste due to the twin guitars they use in the main riff of the song. The metallic and prominent sound of the bass reinforces this impression. What really gets in the fans mind is really the catchiness of the choruses and the prone of the band to be a powerhouse.
“Cut a Long Story Short” delivers a myriad of moods and atmospheres all of them inspired on that classic hard rock era. Sometimes, as in “The Lady Is on Fire,” it’s possible to feel some 1970’s influences. The ballad “The Wind Blew in a Memory” has also a Seventies grip from UFO, for instance.
It’s surprising how some bands from back that far are finally getting together again, and working to revive their musical careers, some with more success than others. Speed Limit seems to be more focused on continuing their sound and style from the early Eighties, and that’s a good thing.
Speed Limit’s ”Cut a Long Story Short” easily switches between classic hard rock and melodic metal involving bits and pieces of the so-called New Wave Of British Heavy Metal using a notebook full of nice topics.
Highly Recommended
01 – Shine Brighter Than The Sun
02 – New Horizon
03 – Eye On You
04 – The Lady Is On Fire
05 – Notorious
06 – Destiny´s Calling
07 – The Wind Blew In A Memory
08 – Hit The Wall
09 – Sweet Morphine (Live At Seeham)
10 – Retired Hero (Live At Seeham)
11 – Ways & Means (2019 Version)
12 – Head Over Heels (2019 Version)
Hannes Vordermayer (drums & lead vocals)
Chris Pawlak (bass)
Chris Angerer (guitar)
Joe Eder (guitar)
BUY
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