BULLET – Kickstarter (2026) *HQ*
320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2
Swedish band BULLET got together in autumn 2001, with the aim of playing traditional heavy metal inspired by the late 1970s and early 1980s: solid, authentic and classic, with a contemporary and timeless touch. Seven years after their latest studio album, BULLET are now back with a new work: ”Kickstarter” is scheduled for release on Steamhammer/SPV on 09 January 2026 and is set to prove that BULLET are determined to continue their almost 25-year career with the very kickstart referenced to by the album title.
BULLET subscribe to a well-oiled recipe when it comes to their brand of traditional heavy metal with bluesy hard rock inflections. Deliver those undeniable guitar hooks, hold the fort down through a reliable bass / drum combination, and throw the shrieking, gritty vocals that shake rafters while melting paint off the walls into another set of rockin’ tunes that’ll hoist fists (or beers) to the sky.
Even though we’ve waited eight years between studio albums, ”Kickstarter” will reaffirm their status of living the good life – motoring down the highway, cruising for fun to maintain the standards for all who want to join in the festivities.
Armed with a new guitarist in Freddie Johansson that injects younger blood into the mix, the eleven songs reach across all aspects of the Bullet playbook in terms of heads down anthems, three chord boogie offerings, as well as the occasional relaxed effort. Guitarists Hampus Klang and Freddie live for those dirty riffs with just enough bite to cause even the youngsters to stand tall as a mix of AC/DC, Accept, Judas Priest, and Saxon elements collide in headbanging unity for “Chained by Metal”, “Caught in the Action”, and “Strike at Night”.
The reflective guitar lines set “Keep Rolling” into comfortable “Balls to the Wall”-period momentum, Dag Hell Hofer roaring in unison to the forward momentum next to a slow pumping bass underpinning while the lead break takes the listener on its own bluesy, thoughtful journey.
Many will close their eyes and feel like they are reliving the late 70s to mid-80s in these power packed numbers, all easy to transfer from the studio to a live environment, even through the bigger gang choruses that pop in on “Spitfire”. Never wasting a moment, the 39-minute record has all the required components to receive copious amounts of future spins to further cement the songs in your soul.
Where does this record sit in the catalog? ”Kickstarter” appears to have a lot of that throwback energy now combining with proper life experiences and knowledge of how to capture this sound for a current generation to rally around.
Sometimes it’s more than alright to sit in the roots of hard rock and heavy metal, crank this up loud and enjoy yourself as these gentlemen supply the party soundtrack for your life.
Highly Recommended
01 – Kickstarter
02 – Caught in the action
03 – Open Fire
04 – Keep Rolling
05 – Hit The Road
06 – Avenger
07 – Chained by metal
08 – Spitfire
09 – Full throttle
10 – Strike at night
11 – Night falls down
Dag “Hell” Hofer (vocals)
Hampus Klang (guitar)
Gustav Hector (bass)
Gustav Hjortsjö (drums)
Freddie Johansson (guitar)
Pre order:
napalmrecords.com/english/bullet-kickstarter-black-lp.html
