Headhunter - Parasite Of Society

When this CD crossed my desk, I figured a new band must be using the name Headhunter. After all, the original Headhunter broke up a long time ago. But they've reunited for their first CD since 1994's Rebirth. The 2008 version of the band has the original lineup, which is vocalist/bassist Schmier (Destruction), guitarist Schmuddel and drummer Jörg Michael.

After a 14 year break, Headhunter's fourth album Parasite Of Society picks up where they left off. It combines the groove and speed of thrash metal with the melody and majesty of power metal. Headhunter is equally adept at fast, retro sounding speed metal and more melodic and mainstream traditional/power metal.

Schmier's vocals range from gruff thrash style singing to more traditional melodic crooning. The only miss on the CD for me was the band's cover of Skid Row's "18 And Life," where Headhunter's thrashy interpretation of the hair metal classic falls short. But that is outweighed by the rest of Parasite Of Society, which is a welcome comeback for a band that's been away for a long time.

(released June 10, 2008 on Candlelight Records)