DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present the highly anticipated debut album of Colombia’s RECKLESS, Sharp Magick Steel, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

Hailing from Bogota, RECKLESS are a Colombian speed metal band formed in 2019 by vocalist/guitarist W. Metalbringer. He was soon joined by bassist Jawbreaker, who brings a solid & heavy foundation to their compositions; drummer Rites666, who drives the band’s frantic pace; and guitarist Spitfire, who complements the main riffing with blistering, passionate solos. With a solid foundation of Judas Priest, Accept, Running Wild, Slayer, Exodus, and Mercyful Fate, RECKLESS soon made their public debut with the two-song Relentless Assault / Prisoner single. Through those influences, the quartet displayed a distinct synthesis of thrash metal propulsion and classic heavy metal melodicism, arriving at a style of speed metal that’s timeless and fresh.

Now, RECKLESS burst forth with a full display of their powers and potential, the debut album Sharp Magick Steel. Almost too perfectly titled, Sharp Magick Steel is a cruising and chrome-encased blast of judiciously tight aggression and invigorating, streamlined songwriting. RECKLESS here invoke their namesake by pushing the pedal to the literal metal, pumping pistons and pushing each of these eight songs forward with a locomotive thrust, but it’s equally the deceptively patient execution which makes Sharp Magick Steel cut so thoroughly: these four metal warriors are totally in control, and they make it look – and sound – almost too easy. And, from cover art (courtesy of Velio Josto) on to the authentically vintage production, RECKLESS rage like it’s 1988!

Fans of the aforementioned as well as classic Annihilator, Jag Panzer, Artillery, and Germany’s Paradox are wholeheartedly encouraged to taste RECKLESS’ Sharp Magick Steel!

REVIEW

As expected of any album opener, “Kneel Before the Gods” is a thunderous speed metal galore, leaving no holds barred. It blisters through like a bullet and never lets up for its entire runtime. Love the band chanting too! Clocks in at 4:03.

“Crimson Obsession” follows suit, showcasing a stark contrast with the implementation of synthesizers. I am an utter fanatic for synths. Still, it immediately reverts to the speed metal flourish that I cherish. This exemplifies the epitome of the beginnings of thrash, it’s gritty and unwavering. There is a change in tempo around 3:25, which paves the way for a blazing solo that is utterly breathtaking, followed by yet another shift in tempo. This track was top-notch! Without a doubt, it is one of my favourites! Clocks in at 4:34

Following that, “Glittering Death” commences with a killer riff that evokes the early 80s. It’s a basic, yet thunderous onslaught of metal greatness. Clocks in at 5:11. Loved this one. Right around midway through this track, I felt the full impact of W. Metalbringer’s vocals. Love the raspy screeching, it’s intoxicating. The guitar solo at around 3:45 was completely insane and easily one of my favourite moments in a long time.

Next in line was the title track, “Sharp Magik Steel”. Clocks in at 3:49. The track begins with an energetic charge and riff that exudes a similar vibe to some legendary Slayer tracks. Loved the chorus with the band chanting the track title, always a sucker for chanting. The drummer, Rites666, deserves a special mention for maintaining a thunderous beat throughout the album, but notably excelling in this song where the drums were robust and heavy.

Next was “Behind the Mist”, which clocks in at 4:51, and begins with more synths! This one immediately won me over, but the riff that initiated at 25 seconds was an absolute showstopper! Been playing it over in my head ever since. Once more, the chorus remains concise yet effective, ultimately enhancing the song.

“Neutralized” followed suit and clocked in at 3:59. This is the type of song that you’d blare while driving, and that’s perfect for speed metal. It might be simple, but it’s gripping. In my opinion, the most outstanding drum performance on the album, showcasing some remarkable drumrolls throughout. There’s a slight break at about 1:45 that drew me in even further. As usual, the solo in this part is a complete powerhouse, swift yet impactful and unforgettable.

Next was “Wake Up Screaming”, clocking in at 3:46. This one reminded me of some early Megadeth, even if the vocals aren’t anywhere near Mustaine. The song’s flow evoked the Peace Sells era of Megadeth.

Finally, to close out the album is “Unholy Odyssey”, which clocks in at 4:41. At this point of the album, I expected RECKLESS to conclude with a mellower and more relaxed tune, as is customary in many records. But then I remembered that this is speed metal, and “mellower” isn’t in the vocabulary. It’s another glorious surge of riffs and wrath. Again, the howling vox of Metalbringer are a standout on this track.

In conclusion, this debut release from RECKLESS is well worth your time, for fans of speed metal and just trad metal in general. I’m not the biggest speed metal guy myself, but holy heck, did this one take me by the horns. The cover art rocks, and the production is straight out of the 80s. It’s raw, nasty, and unforgiving, it’s amazing. Don’t let the speed metal fool you, there is far more than just some mates playing hard and fast, some of the riffs and solos are insanely infectious. The album evoked memories of the “underground” legends of the 80s thrash scene, such as Nuclear Assault and Lȧȧz Rockit, as well as a bit of New Zealand’s Stalker. If I had any nitpicks, it would be that I wish the bassist, Jawbreaker, got a bit more time to shine. All in all, this was a damn fine debut effort, and RECKLESS has a boatload of potential, and with a total runtime of less than 35 minutes it’s a true blitzkrieg that never overstayed its welcome.

THENWOTHM Score: 9/10

Check out RECKLESS at the following links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RecklessSpeedMetal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recklessbnd/
Bandcamp: https://recklessband.bandcamp.com