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Straight Metal War is the fifth full-length from Barbatos, the side-project of Abigail vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Yasuyuki Suzuki. This band borrows equally from Punk, Thrash and first-wave Black Metal. Everything about Barbatos is D.I.Y. from Suzuki playing all the instruments to the sound of the production (a real garage feel) to the performances which are more concerned with energy than accuracy. A lot of the vocal lines are clumsy (on purpose?) and the guitars are so up front I can't imagine them being anywhere other than the red during the recording. Hellhammer fronted by G.G. Allin is probably not an inaccurate way to describe Barbatos' style, though Venom, Mayhem and Nuclear Assault are audible in the mix. Despite the sloppiness (again, on purpose?), and you only need to listen to "Goodbye High School Girls" to hear what I mean, and a variety of vocal styles, Straight Metal War definitely has charm. Suzuki rips into lead after lead throughout each track like Fast Eddie Clarke and though they can charitably be described as "loose" they are thoroughly enjoyable. Straight Metal War won't be for everyone especially if you hate Punk. If not, it's a fun ride provided you don't take it too seriously.