Bullet – Bite the Bullet (Release Year – 2009)

Like your music fast, loud, proud, and heavy on the rock? Then Bullet is the band for you. Hailing from Sweden (where all the great metal bands seem to come from lately), Bullet is a kick in the balls, fast rocking, take no prisoners, all out assault metal band. With a lead singer whose vocals could be the love offspring of Blackie Lawless and Jessie James Dupree, with a sprinkle of Joel O’Keeffe, Bullet rocks hard, fast, and heavy.

Bite The Bullet kicks off with “Pay The Price” which sets the tone for the album and this band, hard rocking in the vein of old school metal. The track starts off with soft guitars that gradually build then lead singer Hell Hofer launches into a siren scream, and Pay The Price is off and running. An AC/DC tempo rocker, this is a nice lead off single that will bring you back for more.

“Road King” kicks the disc into the next gear and leaves it there for a while. An upbeat, fast tempo, hard rocking good time, Road King is sure to have feet tapping and fists pumping in no time. Complete with motor bike sound effects, this song makes you want to hit the highway, roll down the windows, romp on the gas, and move. The guitar solo sounds like a high speed chase on the interstate, and is punctuated with excellent riffs and a heavy drum beat to keep the pace. Without a doubt one of the best tracks on the disc and bound to have you singing along in no time.

“Dusk Til Dawn” keeps the record on track, opening with slamming drums and a mini scream from Hell. The 1-2 boogie beat in this song is more AC/DC (or Airbourne) than anything else, but still with the unique flavor that makes Bullet original. Another excellent track, “Dusk Til Dawn” fights hard for the honor of best song on the disc.

“Nailed To The Ground” keeps the music traveling at the lightning pace this band likes to work at, and includes even more slick guitar playing from Hampus Klang and Erik Almstrom. Their combination assault on the senses helps launch this record to the next stratosphere and keep it there without fear of falling on their face. Talent and dedication are the trademarks of this CD.

Hell Hofer’s vocals are a unique experience and definitely add to the flavor of Bite The Bullet. A unique blend of former metal singers serve his pipes well, comparable to a high pitch Lemmy, that can hit the Bruce Dickinson siren-like notes, listening to him sing is a pleasurable experience.

Bullet is a party band that has brought the party to their music. It translates well on Bite The Bullet, which is an excellent CD, chock full of little nuggets of greatness. If you’re looking for some new rock that stands apart from the mass marketed, mainstream music that saturates the airwaves, give Bite The Bullet a try. You’ll be glad that you did.

Rating: Out of 10