New Battlesnake album The Upward push And Dying Of The Motorsteeple is evidence that you’ll be able to be a) heavy steel, b) foolish as hell and c) in reality reasonably excellent

A way of humour is usually a unhealthy factor in steel. Take your self too severely and also you invite ridicule, however presenting as too wacky can condemn a band endlessly to the balk nation-states of novelty kitsch, even ones with half-decent riffs (hi, Goblin Cock). Australian bands regularly have extra leeway than maximum on this regard, tucked away in sunny isolation with their breezy, “no wuckers” angle and OTT-bonkers steel legacy. Not easy consideration with their homoerotic pagan vestments and humorous face-pulling antics, Battlesnake owe as a lot to Tenacious D as to Dio, however they preserve our consideration with wild, expressive vocals; catchy riffing; twin-axe exuberance and storytelling fervour.

Regardless of their aesthetic’s comedy worth, Battlesnake’s tune is an obtainable show of arty eccentricity and fearless conviction, extra the perky offspring of Turbonegro and Slough Feg than a Nanowar Of Metal- taste piss-about. It’s extra party-hardened and extra experimental than maximum New Wave Of Trad HM; each qualities are very best exemplified by way of nearer Pterodactyl Firehawk, pushing us into dinosaur rave steel territory, rapidly snapping off simply because it begins to get too ridiculous. 70s Judas Priest is a palpable presence right through (incorporating their early Queen affect), whilst Alpha & Omega switches between Mellotron-dappled people balladry and punchy, mystical laborious rock, flying the Zeppelin over the Rainbow with refined panache.