Artist: Speedslut
Country: Denmark
Label: Beer Drinkers & Hellraisers Inc.
Formats: Cassette EP
Year: 2025
Although the band’s name might suggest that this is a Speed Metal outfit that should not be taken too seriously, the music on this debut cassette EP is anything but jolly. These Danish youngsters seem to have come out of nowhere, but ‘Ferocity Of Steel’ is certainly a debut with a well-chosen title…
Musically speaking, it is abundantly clear that these lads have tailored their brand of Speed/Thrash metal to match the first albums by both Metallica and Megadeth. Yet, while these iconic albums might have been an inspiration, ‘Ferocity Of Steel’ is by no means a mere copy of anything that these giants of Thrash ever did in the earliest stages of their respective careers. Most importantly, the quality of the recording and the production sounds far from dated. This debut is cast in a firm and razor-sharp sound, modern perhaps, but with an obvious respect for the genre’s aesthetics. Flashy guitar work is interspersed with Frederik Klitte’s unbridled energetic vocals, which sound just as sharp as his riffs. This clearly demonstrates that Speedslut is more than just “the next big thing” in Thrash Metal; not only is the music well-crafted, it is also performed with genuine enthusiasm and love for the genre and the many classics that preceded them.
Of course, they still have to prove themselves as the ‘next big thing’, but there is no doubt that Speedslut has what it takes. This first EP was released on cassette via, I presume, their own imprint, but their talent and quality did not go unnoticed for long. Of all the labels, Listenable Records apparently made the best impression. Not exactly the label where I would look for a band like Speedslut, and the question is whether this was a good choice, but that is something only time will tell. For now, at least, we can chalk up one of the better Thrash Metal releases to Speedslut.
