In a year where we’ve learned to expect nothing certain and plenty of change, one thing we can rely on is the new album by Wellington, New Zealand based metallers, Bulletbelt. 2020 sees the release of the band’s fourth record, ‘Warlords‘.
The album was recorded at the Surgery Studio in Wellington by group founder Steve Francis (drums) and long-time bassist Tim Mekalick. They are joined by new members Josh O’Brien (guitar) and Paul Roberts (vocals).
The nine songs – all live instruments, no triggers, patches, simulations or samples – were co-produced by James Goldsmith (Beastwars, Mermaidens) and the album’s killer artwork is designed by New York artist David Harrigan (Scarecrowoven) And it is a five-piece that will present the album live with the group adding Andrew Collett on guitar to flesh out the live sound.
What hasn’t changed is the intention of this powerhouse act – Warlords is a soaring metal beast of an album. There is a renewed emphasis on hooks and choruses making Warlords the band’s strongest album yet to date. Bulletbelt has toured Australia, Japan and New Zealand and played numerous support slots with visiting international acts including Sepultura, Carcass, Napalm Death, Midnight, Psycroptic, The Black Dahlia Murder, Impiety, Bolzer, Tragedy, Rotten Sound, Midnight, Municipal Waste, Ringworm, Paul Dianno, and Primate.
The band first struck fear and awe into the hearts of New Zealand’s metal-loving audiences in 2009. With music featuring on the soundtrack to cult-classic movie, Deathgasm, international touring and three previous records of brutal, beautiful sonic assault, it’s a solid foundation that Warlords sits atop. A decade of brand-building, blood, sweat and… beers …tears and forever true and strong of heart, sound of mind and body and committed to the riff, the chorus, the way of the anthem, Bulletbelt’s head is held high, their flag is in the sand. The are Warlords. Bow to the sound.
More info on Bulletbelt can be found at www.bulletbelt-official.com
