ALBUM REVIEW: Charger – Warhorse (Pirates Press Records)
Charger are the latest side project of Matt Freeman, bass player with American streetpunk legends Rancid.
Formed in Oakland in the East Bay area of California in 2017, they blend ’70s and ’80s hard rock, punk and metal, and rock like a bastard.
Freeman’s joined in the hard-hitting three-piece by guitarist Drew McGee (God Lives Underwater) and drummer Jason Willer (UK Subs/Jello Biafra’s Guantanamo School of Medicine).
After a handful of singles and EPs, this 11-track debut long-player is a real step up for them. To say Motorhead have influenced it is something of an understatement; this record exudes the spirit of Lemmy Kilmister, Fast Eddie and Filthy Animal.
Motorhead were always the heavy rock band it was okay for punks to like, and listening to this is almost like discovering a lost album by Lemmy & Co.
Opening track Devastator sets out their stall from the off; fast paced, with gruff vocals, rumbling bass and pounding drums, there’s even room for a squiggling guitar solo.
Black Motor, which follows, is even heavier, with a chugging riff and sledgehammer beat, while there’s a definite Judas Priest feel to Rolling Through The Night, one of two singles which prefaced the album.
The other, Summon The Demon, features guest vocals from Jake Nunn of Californian metallers Hell Fire, and conjurs up images of Iron Maiden trying their hand at thrash metal.
Dig Your Own Grave ventures into prog rock territory with an extended organ intro and some militaristic drumming, while Will To Survive owes more to UK82 legends GBH.
No heavy metal fan worth his salt would fail to Black Sabbath as an influence, and it’s clear for all to hear on Forsaken Soul, while Luck Of The Draw is the riff-filled result of what you’d get if you put Motorhead and Judas Priest in a blender.
Running Out Of Time and Stand Fight Or Die turn the ‘doesn’t that sound like Motorhead?’ dial up to 11 – inevitable, really, when Freeman’s gravelly baritone sounds so like Lemmy.
A breathless Sword Of Dio – named in honour of Rainbow/Sabbath/Dio legend Ronnie – brings things to a tumultous close, and puts the lid on a very impressive half hour of power.
Charger’s metal-meets-punk-meets-thrash sound should appeal to anyone who likes their music served with the pedal pressed all the way down to the metal. 8.5/10.
