Gama Bomb: Speed Between The Lines

Album number six from the explosive Northern Irish outfit Gama Bomb finds the band maintaining top velocity as they Speed Between The Lines. For those not acquainted with this lot - and I include myself in that number - it would appear that in a good way these lads don’t take themselves too seriously, landing somewhere between all out speed/thrash metal, comic-horror-schlockers and punk tinged aggressors. That’s a mighty fine balance, with the danger of tumbling too far one way or another never far from the mind, hence it’s to this band’s credit that they pitch their full on assault nigh on perfectly.

Vocalist Philly Byrne, who I believe has come through voice issues prior to this album, does a great job barking out the staccato expulsions of the marvellously titled “666teen�, but he’s also capable of a Halford-esque screeeeeeeeeeeeeeam! If you need proof then head into the world of “Kurt Russell� (I kid you not…) where the life, times and wilds of the man himself are recounted with a tongue in cheek admiration. As with all of these sort of albums, which pretend to run the gauntlet of humour over substance, what’s going on here is always a little smarter than Gama Bomb initially try to make out; stuff like “Alt-Reich� just as believable a social commentary as provided by the most protesting of singer-songwriters. The fact that it’s delivered at break-neck speed and with the popping snare of Paul Caffrey as a constant companion, sharpens the thrust further, just as the intricate and unexpected guitar solo also achieves.

“Stay Rotten� takes the six-string histrionics even higher and for all that Speed Between The Lines is laced with a biting humour and candid outlook, you really have to acknowledge that these guys can play. With “We R Going 2 Eat U� a mix of chanted choruses and double kick mayhem and “Motorgeist� (think Motorhead meets The Wildhearts at a Dead Kennedys convention) simply romping along, the intensity never drops. That, aligned to the comedic nature of a lot of the lyrics, mean I’m not 100% convinced that the initial impact of this album will stay the course (although a few weeks down the line and I’m still straining my neck to it all). However, as a way to up the energy levels, clear the mind and invigorate the senses, Gama Bomb deliver exactly the sort of wallop you might desire.

Track Listing
1.  Give Me Leather
2.  A Hanging
3.  666teen
4.  Bring Out The Monster
5.  R.I.P. U
6.  Motorgeist
7.  Alt-Reich
8.  Stay Rotten
9.  We R Going 2 Eat U
10.  Kurt Russell
11.  World Gone To Hell
12.  Faceblaster

Added: March 10th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Speed Between The Lines @ AFM Records
Hits: 716
Language: english

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