Heavy glam metallers come strutting from Portland, Oregon with their latest release “Shattered Vanity” out on 2nd June 2023 via Shadow Kingdom Records.

“Shattered Vanity” is the upcoming sophomore album from LEATHÜRBITCH, and is their heaviest offering yet. The band sport an aggressive mix of sleaze ridden riffs with the heaviness of modern thrash.

I was apprehensive before taking on this review, as I am not a fan of glam metal in any sense and feel that there is a greater focus on looks and aesthetic at a compromise of the writing and execution of the music. This is not the case here at all, the logo and artwork would lead you to believe so but what’s presented here is just a great metal record with just a touch of glam.

Album opener “The Dark Mirror” jumps straight to it, sitting the tone for the album. This is classic thrash, with shrieked vocals not far removed from KING DIAMOND. What brings the heaviness here is the pummelling drums which do not relent throughout the entire album. Some seriously good lead guitar work can be found here too. 2nd track, the title “Shattered Vanity” follows in similar fashion, a speed metal attack with an infectious chorus.

Next track “Betrayal” doesn’t let up either, being a mid paced rocker and really given singer Joel Starr room to show off even more. The song blasts through at a perfect headbanging pace leading into a twin guitar frenzy. “Shadow Mistress” swaggers in next, with a nice selection of raunchy riffs, and appropriate wails throughout the chorus. Here the solo treats us with a thick phase driven attack which is a welcome diversion. “Graveyard Eyes” changes the tone back to full tilt speed metal that’s similar to RIOT CITY, nailing that balance between fury and class. Another great solo peice too, virtuous and wild. It finishes off with an epic closure. This is the best track on the album for sure.

“The Invitation” comes next, slowing down the speed set from the track before. This is a more classic sounding song, and wouldn’t sound out of place on any late 80s American metal album. Unfortunately for me this track doesn’t excite me as much as what’s come before, but that’s not to say its poor, it’s still fuckin great! “Nasty Reputation” is the lightest track on the album, which leans more into the glam rock side of things. Very reminiscent of TWISTED SISTER as it has stacks of attitude, utilising stripped down riffs and big chorus, with a rocking solo. “Morphina” returns to the metal with a power metal-esque opening sequence and verse / chorus sounding like something Noise Records would put in the late 80’s. It slows down midway to make way for a melodic solo, before escalating the speed to bridge the ending. The album finale “Horror’s Unseen” closes the album in a solid way, with an overall darker feel than everything that preceeded it. It also is the most “epic” track, with a clean mid section sporting another melodic tasty solo, but before long we’re back to the speed metal album.

Conclusion

“Shattered Vanity” is a very strong album, and will easily sit next to modern classics put out by bands like RIOT CITY and EVIL INVADERS. There’s some truly great tracks on here, even if the leaning into glam was a bit too much for my tastes. When the band are going full metal, it’s a real treat.

THENWOTHM Score: 8.5/10

Bandcamp: http://www.shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/heavychains