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Fun. That's what the NWOBHM did best. The filth hounds in Tank knew that better than anyone else, and it shows on this record. Much like other New Wave acts like Holocaust and Angel Witch, Tank were unpretentious. They focused on quick, catchy driving metal songs with a "rockin'" edge. They weren't focused on the soaring choruses or the burgeoning extreme sounds in the scene. Instead, they kept it simple, like a more aggressive version of many 70s rock bands. But as I said earlier, there's one theme that permeates throughout the entirety of Filth Hounds of Hades, and that is fun.

Tank simply don't want to wow you with their technical prowess. They just want you to sing along and bang your head, and they're damn good at it making you do it. Vocalist Algy Ward's punky whine fits the music like a spiked leather glove. It invigorates the listener and works with the rhythm section to spawn a singsongy, yet vibrant and even visceral sound. Somewhere in between Lemmy and Gary Lettice of Holocaust lies Ward. Songs like "Run Like Hell," the fist-pumper "Heavy Artillery" and the sing-along NWOBHM classic "(He Fell in Love with a) Stormtrooper" highlight the album with the furious, often bluesy guitar work behind Ward's period piece vocals.

Tank are essential for any self-respecting NWOBHM fan. Filth Hounds of Hades is their stripped down, infectious, and of course, very fun debut. They went off into more serious, complicated territory after this. That was great too, but Filth Hounds stands out due to its honesty and self-awareness. Great metal doesn't have to shred, and this proves it.