Album Review

Special Ops – Through The Heart Of The Infidel

• 10th Sep 2009

Montreal metal band Special Ops’ third album `Through the Heart of the Infidel’ is 10 tracks of head banging, explosive, heavy music. Right from the opening track `H.M.’ the mood is set for the onslaught of metal mayhem that is to follow. Special Ops produce a unique brand of nu metal calling on a wide range of multicultural influences and backgrounds. Frontman Abe Froman (not to be confused with Abe Froman, Sausage King of Chicago, from `Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’!) incorporates his North American upbringing with street sounds and thoughtful lyrics. While guitarist Akbar Johnson’s picking and plucking showcase the intricacies of Middle Eastern music. The overall result is a band making metal music with all the best elements of contagious rhythm, heavy beats and distorted guitars.

`Pressure’ is the stand-out track on the album for me, with its catchy guitar chords and pounding drumwork. The final track `Anthem of Deceit’ features glorious Middle Eastern guitar sounds and powerful vocals, proving a worthy closer. Metal is too harsh, angst ridden and angry for my musical taste, though I can see the appeal.`Through the Heart of the Infidel’ will appeal to, and inspire a wide audience. Hard hitting sounds combined with lyrics exploring rebellion, struggles and uprising make for an engaging album. Rounded out by slick production by award-winning producer Glen Robinson (The Ramones, AC/DC, Gwar, Queensryche) this album is a well-written, well-played and well-made release.