First published by Midlands Rocks, June 2011
Snakebite. Not the most pleasing experience to be had, it’s fair to say. Similarly, the popular proletarian Midlands
cocktail of the same name, comprising respective half pints of lager and cider, leaves a morning-after sensation of equally unpleasant proportions.
The London-based metal quartet, on the other hand, induces significantly more agreeable physical responses. Namely, an urge to bang one’s head, whip out the old air guitar and mosh furiously. This debut platter from Snakebite cannily ticks several boxes while neatly avoiding a descent to the place located between several stools.
Classic rock-style riffage sits snugly alongside trad thrash carnage. Blast beats and the guttural growls of frontman, Jason Smith, are punctuated by searing lead breaks, unashamedly showcasing the dexterity and virtuosity of axe-man, Andrew Mathews. Less is more, some may urge. Fuck you, he replies. Quite right too.
Rhythm duo, skinsman Jamie Nash and bassist, Chris Finniss, lay down a battery of heavy ordnance with the commitment of an approaching Panzer division and impress with both their rhythmic chops and metronome accuracy.
This aint death metal, black metal, this metal or that metal. It’s just…metal. Stripped-down and heavy as fuck. No artifice, no pretence and despatched with gusto.
Good stuff.