With their latest single, Dream Warriors, the powerhouse Slanderus delivered an unrelenting tour de force that ensnares from the first post-punk-infused note. Channelling Echo and the Bunnymen atmospherics in the opening salvo, the Inland Empire quartet takes listeners down a dark path before unleashing a firestorm of overdriven guitars that shred with a no-mercy vigour. Each beat hits harder than the last, with rock harmonies tempering the relentless instrumental frenzy, dropping a melodic anchor amid the chaos.
With a clear reverence for 80s rock aesthetics, Slanderus nods to nostalgia in the DOKKEN cover of the single which featured on the Nightmare on Elm St 3 soundtrack while injecting contemporary volition into the classic riffs that rock fans have adored across the decades; the modernistic metal edge goes straight for the jugular.
With Jason J. Kennedy’s guitar solos capable of making your heart forget to beat, the electricity within Dream Warriors is enough to run a power grid. The synergy within the band is unstoppable, with JJ Gawrich on drums delivering melodic yet earth-shattering rhythms and bassist Mike Basquez bringing a heavy groove while Allen Alamillo’s lead vocals inject soul into a soaring pitch.
The award-winning outfit which has previously opened for Fear Factory is clearly only getting started in its bid to hold dominion over the alt-metal scene. Get behind them or get out of their way.
Dream Warriors was officially released on October 31st. Stream it on all major platforms via this link now.
Review by Amelia Vandergast