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They don't call the 80s metal sound "classic" for nothing. As someone who discovered metal during that time, it is a real pleasure to hear so many newer bands trying to recapture or, at least, pay homage, to those who blazed the trail. ZÜÜL, who take their name from the also classic 80s movie Ghostbusters, have released their debut collection of old school riffs and straight ahead Heavy Metal, Out of Time. And like guitarist Mike Bushur's other throwback outfit, High Spirits, ZÜÜL have unleashed a winner.

Out of Time's production is very dense with the instruments taking up a lot of space. There is a "wall of sound" aspect to the recording. This results in vocalist The Baron Batteau's vocals sounding rather muddy and occasionally relegated to the background. Not that this was uncommon in the 80s, just the opposite, but with today's production techniques, I think they could have given the guy a little more room. Still, the songs are the reason to pick up Out of Time. The album is all mid-paced riffery and solos with a simple, unobtrusive rhythm section. Out of Time starts with the title track and it kicks the album off in style. "Out of Time" employs one of my favorite musical patterns in that there is a short guitar solo after each round of the chorus. Songs like "Darkness on the Ice" and "Ride Ride" have an Anvil vibe to them and the band occasionally sounds a bit like Motörhead, minus the vocals. Out of Time is not perfect and there are a couple of clunkers in the middle ("Air Raid" and "Backstreet Crawler" are too generic to inspire any excitement) and the Baron occasionally has a bit of trouble with the high notes. But as quickly as Out of Time gets off track, it is just as quickly back on, so if you can overlook the deficiencies (something I found very easy to do), the payoff is huge. Oh, and I want to thank the band for throwing a BIG middle finger to the ballad! Out of Time starts rolling and never stops until the end.

Yet another great release from High Roller Records and a band to watch. Recommended.