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Other than the cover art of a motorcycle-riding ghoul and the spiky logo, which both scream "Thrash," Elm Street's Barbed Wire Metal is all glorious 80s-inspired Traditional/Power Metal. There are plenty of crunchy riffs, energetic drums, gravelly-yet-clean vocals and lead work that shows off some serious fret board skills. The songs are melodic, upbeat and full of sing-a-long choruses. They beg you to whip out the air guitar. The lyrics pay homage to classic topics like horror ("Leatherface"), evil ("The Devil's Servants") and, of course, Heavy Metal ("Heavy Metal Power," "Metal is the Way.")

Elm Street cites Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Savatage and Manowar as influences but I hear more Grave Digger and Running Wild in their songs. Fans of all of those bands should eat up Barbed Wire Metal. It is simple, unadorned and downright fun with no pretenses of being something else whatsoever. Great start for this band from Australia.