Another pandemic creation, Mutant Blast are a Finnish outfit with seasoned members who have plenty of experience in the music field. Associations to acts like Waltari, Witheria, and Chaos Creation in the current or historical landscape, the band issued their debut Detonation EP in 2021, followed up by “Into the Night” as a single release last year to set the stage for this first full-length Soulsteeler. Listeners can expect eight original tracks embracing a thrash meets rock ‘n’ roll veneer, as well as pulling out an early Iron Maiden cover that proves that classic influences still matter to this band.
The aggressive nature in terms of the riffing, tempos, and transitions keeps things full throttle on “Into the Night” – drummer Eero-Sakari Kuikka especially adept to switch between semi-blasting abilities all the way to controlled groove mechanics beyond his nifty snare to cymbal juggling duties next to the heads down riffing and intense vocals. On other occasions the musical hooks or pace takes on more controlled anthem-like qualities such as the opening sequence to “Black Mass (Open the Gates of Hell)” or opener “Satan’s Pawn” before kicking into thrash madness, evidence that diversity pays dividends in long-term appeal. The influences spanning early Bay Area to European templates with a bit more crunchy/power leanings (think Artillery and Annihilator) next to the expected Exodus, Slayer, or Death Angel-like movements – while the solo work has more of that bluesy, sleaze hard rock nuance to keep things very energetic in Guns ‘n’ Roses or 90s alternative/post-grunge fashion. Gang background vocals punctuate key phrases / chorus in another back half ripper “Acid Rain”, while the almost eight-minute “For the Sake of Humanity” demonstrates the group’s left-field progressive aspects, the song taking a major shift musically mid-way through as the twin harmony lead break could garner lots of chanting in live situations.
When many artists choose to tackle the main Dickinson-era Iron Maiden compositions, Mutant Blast reach back to the debut Paul Di’Anno-led days for “Prowler”, giving it a robust run through, Tomi Malinen’s main raspiness ideal vocally next to the killer instrumental power burst that keeps this solid cut mesmerizing. In the end, Soulsteeler achieves its goal for a top to bottom thrash ‘n’ roll experience that deserves a whirlwind of spins.