It’s the story, the intricacies, and the SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!

Mechanic Tyrants formed in Nuremburg, Germany in the chaos of the COVID lockdowns in 2021. Originally conceived as a solo project by Florian Fait, the project took on a life of its own and is now a ferocious quartet bent on speed metal, speed shredding, and MORE SPEED EVERYWHERE. On September 27, 2024, they will release their debut record unto the world… “St. Diemen Riots” via Jawbreaker Records.

Let’s introduce the band… they are:
Florian Fait – Vocals & Guitars
Danny Keck – Bass
Orlando Mack – Drums & Percussion
Jakob Struve – Guitars

This is a full-on speed metal saga, so get in and fasten your seat belt. It’s a wild ride into a dystopian world where good and evil are at odds. Bloody conflict tests the will of those who resist, and the forces of evil seek to oppress those who stand against them. The sparks of rebellion burn bright from heat generated by the riffage exploding forth.

It’s ambitious, intricate, yet comes from a place of authenticity. They have branded themselves as “working class speed metal” and that is an apt way to put it. What can I say here… this record captured my ear and imagination. Initially, I was a bit skeptical of it being billed as in the same vein as “2112” by Rush. Look, I’ve often been disappointed by such claims. In this case, that is not how it turned out. They pulled it off in grand speed metal fashion!

I did spent quite some time immersing myself in all ten tracks, in order. Each time I ran through it, I found something else that I really liked. In the case of the two videos that have been released, “Speed Metal Guerilla” and “Above the Law”, they capture the aesthetic of the band perfectly. Perhaps I shouldn’t tip my hand so much, but I really do like this record. It’s the story, the depth, and the SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!

As I delve into a track-by-track run down, here is the full list in order:
1. Tower 42
2. Murder at the Barricades
3. St. Diemen Riots
4. Madrugada
5. Ruins of the Past
6. Speed Metal Guerrilla
7. Sons of Evil
8. Above the Law
9. Bad Seeds
10. Mechanic Tyrants

Let’s go track by track:

Tower 42 – The track opens with a chaotic 25 seconds that foreshadow the blistering storm of speed that is about to erupt. From that point on, it is pedal-to-the-metal at max volume. There are killer vocal harmonies and satisfying guitar riffs that abound on this track. The story arc opens strong, and we get a glimpse into the story that is about to unfold.

Murder at the Barricades – A sinister air of riffs and bouncing bass line opens the track. The good stuff doesn’t end there… it just keeps getting better. I really like how the vocals are woven together in harmonies with emphasis on solo voices at critical points. The story continues on!

St. Diemen Riots – This is a hard charging track that gets started quickly and builds to maximum speed quickly. The staccato, rapid-fire vocals weave the story of the title track quite well. For added impact, there are lots of well place guitar dive bombs. This track is reminiscent of “Peace Sells…” era Megadeth, in the best possible way.

Madrugada – A brief acoustic guitar interlude. Just a hint of sadness and foreboding.

Ruins of the Past – One of the longest (6+ minutes) and most ambitious tracks on the record. For me, this is one of the best tracks on the record. It’s the total package… intricate, epic, and everything that makes metal great.

Speed Metal Guerilla – I listened to this song quite a few times before I got around to watching the video. Now that I’ve seen it, the video is metal gold… no spoilers here but you’ve got to watch it. It’s obvious why this is the first single because it’s a big track that’s fast and loud. It’s a no-nonsense, down and dirty metal tune. It suits the band quite well. Vive la metal revolution! Easily a top track.

Sons of Evil – This is a melodic power metal track where the band shows some depth. Its crunchy heartbeat gives way to grand riffage and soaring vocals. There’s a eerie sound to the riffs and it continues the story quite well. As I sat with this track a few times, I began to think back to “Kill ‘Em All” era Metallica, but with their own twist applied.

Above the Law – This is the second track with a video and it’s one that shows the band performing. From the looks of it, their live act will be just as energetic as their songs. Another great metal track that showcases what the band does best. I’m sure that when the band breaks out into this song, there will be a swirling pit of chaos that forms. It’s going to get people riled up.

Bad Seed – Did I mention speed? Another unstoppable track that hits top speed quickly and doesn’t stop until they’ve kept told the story. I can see this as being a sing-along track for the crowd during a live show. The hook and chorus are catchy exactly for that purpose.

Mechanic Tyrants – A fitting closer to the album and the story. The sonic storm swirls and begins to take shape, and then all hell breaks loose. Their trademark speed brings it all home.

Wrapping Up

Mechanic Tyrants have produced a hidden gem here. There’s a lot of ambition at the heart of this record and they are successful in telling a story with themes as old as time: good vs. evil. In my line of work, I love great stories. Simply put, this is done quite well. First and foremost, the sheer dedication to speed metal is admirable. Second, the lyrics successfully weave together a story that captures the imagination. Finally, the sheer prowess of the band members with their respective instruments is undeniable. These working-class speed metal icons are talented and will be going places.

If you’re a fan of early Megadeth or Metallica, you’ll find this in your wheelhouse. By the same token, if you’re just getting acquainted with speed metal, this is an approachable record to get you hooked. From a technical perspective, the record sounds great and is mixed well. The vocal harmonies are especially dynamite throughout all the songs. There are riffs, leads, dive bombs, and all other types of guitar acrobatics to feast on in every song. For added depth, there are some sporadic production enhancements (sounds of gunfire or quick narrative) that add to the story arc. Constructively, I can’t really offer anything of substance that I’d consider to be changed.

Again, this one is a gem just waiting to be discovered. I fell for this record hard and have been listening to it quite a bit. I hope they make it to the US so that I can see them play this live. No matter what, if they play near you, please go out and support them. Pick up the record, buy some merch and give them big love.

Keep it fast and loud!

TheNWOTHM Score: 10/10

On September 27, 2024 make sure that this record is in your hands and getting played loud and on repeat!

Mechanic Tyrants

Website

Bandcamp

Jawbreaker Records

Website

Bandcamp