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I had heard a lot about Wastoid from Michel, as apparently they put on a killer show at the Classic Metal Fest, so I was pleased to get a "Wastoid Demo" as a freebie from Sentinel Steel. What a surprise that this turned out to be a different demo from the "Say Your Prayers" CD. Until I can get that one, I'll make do with this. And this is very, very cool.

Now Wastoid is a silly name for a band like this, as it makes them sound like some kind of stoner band, which could not be farther from the truth. Wastoid are a dyed-in-the-wool True Heavy Metal band that are so retro they sound like time travelers from 1980. There's a good bit of a NWOBHM sound here, as well as a healthy dose of "Breakin' the Law"-era Priest and a good shot of 70's cock-rock. The whole is a very back-to-basics metal attack that recalls the glory days.

What makes this work is the energy and seriousness of the performers, and the talent on display. Wastoid may be retro, but they can sure play their instruments, and the songs here bristle with rockin' riffs and insanely catchy hooks that render the songs instantly memorable. From the headbanging choruses on "Demon Child" and "Die With Your Sword" to the incredibly catchy main riff on "We Came To Rock" this thing never lets up. This material is a bit rockier than I usually like, but the strength of the songs is undeniable. Put simply, this music is too much fun to gripe about. You just have to admire the balls on a band that calls a song "Omnipresent God of Rock". Wastoid are officially cool, and I am going to have to get "Say Your Prayers" as soon as I can swing it.