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WILD
Sin Piedad

Fighter (2018)
Rating: 7.5/10

Madrid act Wild began life as Majesty Night before changing their moniker in 2004, and have not looked back since then. Including Sin Piedad, we’ve been treated to three albums as well as a trio of EPs. Guitarist Javier Pastor remains the only original member, and he’s backed by fellow axeman Jaime Núñez, vocalist José García, bassist Juanma Castaño and drummer Niko Fernández.

Now, first thing’s first; I don’t like the cover art. The artwork is just too goofy for my liking, although none of their album covers have particularly rocked. Inside though, we do have a batch of decent tunes that are rather typical of stuff released on the Fighter Records label.

Fist-pumping, galloping, and at times anthemic metal is the order of the day here. It’s just a shame that all too often the songs feel rather glossy, as right from the opening title track we have plenty of power and fire but a rather clicky drum sound. I guess that’s one of the many failings with modern dynamics, but there’s no denying the vocal potency and engaging drive of the track; ‘Sin Piedad’ is a straight-up metal monster that does feel distinctly European with its Teutonic flecks as the Spanish band borders on thrashy elements while employing streaks of experimentation and effects.

Sin Piedad actually means ‘Without Mercy’ in English and that message comes across through this hard, driving record that nods to numerous influences, ranging from Iron Maiden to Accept, Judas Priest et al. It remains engaging throughout; even if sung entirely in Spanish, one can still pick up the premise of songs such as ‘Todo o Nada’ (‘All Or Nothing’) and ‘Acorralado’ (‘Cornered’). Either way, even with my miserable translations, there’s that strong, steely backbone that enables this opus to work.

Dynamic solos, some killer drum work, the feisty guitar work and trudges (‘Acorralado’), and speedier climes (‘Venganza’) bring so much to the table. I’m still a tad uncomfortable with the glossy production, but at times it does benefit the sound as we’re dealt several sniping albeit mechanized blows with the likes of ‘Pesadilla’ where a Megadeth-styled menace comes cruising. Meanwhile, a track such as ‘Vuela Alto’ features that cutting guitar energy and hammering percussion.

Sin Piedad is very much an example of a band on form. You can hear the metal blood pulsing and pumping through its veins, and with José García’s epic tones it is hard not to take notice of such a smooth yet glinting record.

Neil Arnold

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