They're f*n Hellbound!
Finally it's here! "Din't Hear No Bell" is the debut album from Gloucestershire's top metal band, Hellbound.
Old school metal at its very best, the Pantera influences are unmistakeable – the big, gritty vocals (particularly impressive on 'The Element') and galloping rhythms are there, but far from being yet another regurgitation of a classic sound, Hellbound is an evolution; a brand new beast, if you will.
As the opening lyrics suggest, this is the musical equivalent of a freight train heading straight for you; every song provides a musical bludgeoning that you will want to experience over and over again. If this is your first Hellbound experience then hold on tight, it's going to be a bumpy ride!
The themes on the album are diverse, the guys more than prepared to share their often controversial views with the world. From asking questions about the military to getting one's just desserts to the end of the world, every listener will find something they can relate to on this album.
I've seen Hellbound perform a number of times and have always been impressed with their stage presence, charisma and showmanship. I was curious, therefore, whether a recording could fully capture the essence of the band and the magic that they unleash on their willing audience at every given opportunity. The simple answer is 'yes'. The gimmicks may not be there, but the sheer power of the music and the attitude behind the lyrics is there in bucketloads and that is what Hellbound is all about. I love Benn and Jon's mischievous pranks and drinking competitions, but I was so pleased that the guys could deliver when the tomfoolery was stripped away and all focus was on the music.
Hellbound have built up an incredibly loyal following over their many years on the metal scene and as such, expectation was incredibly high for their debut release. "Din't Hear No Bell" has not only met that expectation, but surpassed it. Delivering 11 tracks of raw, meaty metal, this is a band that once heard is never forgotten. It's only a matter of time before Hellbound is the word on the lips of every metal fan up and down the country.
To find out more about this exciting band, check out www.hellboundmusic.com