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TRADE MAKERS
Serial Killer EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 5/10

Arguably boasting one of the most banal names in metal, Latvia’s Trade Makers sort of make up for it with the cover artwork of this debut EP. However, once inside prepare to be “entertained” by a down to the wire Accept imitation. Vocalist Roberts is a dead ringer for Udo Dirkschneider, and at times that isn’t a good thing because there are moments when he struggles with the warbles. Even so, this is a standard heavy / speed metal EP boasting four mediocre bone rattlers.

The best track here is probably the energetic opener ‘Eye To Eye’. It’s snappy, thrashy and full of fire in its percussive expression, but other than that it’s as predictable as it gets. Some of the lead work from Olivers is nifty and makes a break from the vocal tension, and in general the band is adept at creating rather fiery metal. It’s a shame then that the vocals have to adopt such an approach.

‘Hellspawn’ offers up further barroom speed metal with a steady percussion nod, but those vocals really do struggle to get that high note on the chorus. ‘Serial Killer’ melts into the others, as does ‘City Streets Of Death Sentence’, making this a rather generic metal experience doused in 80s nuances.

If you want further evidence of how the vocals are a weakness then the title cut is a prime example of such unstable warbling. Again, the track is rescued by the fine lead work and steady rhythm of bass and drum, and you get a nice traditional metal vibe going. And it’s the same with ‘City Streets Of Death Sentence’ which plods along nicely, but it’s like you start to dread the vocal interference. Without such an intervention the track builds nicely into a speed metal number and one cannot help but feel that with a stronger, more stable vocalist, and probably a different band moniker, these guys could emerge as a solid Latvian force.

For now, the froggy vocal outbursts mar this opus considerably, raking it with bullet holes and weakening its power. Trade Makers won’t evolve under such unsteady yet harsh commands.

Neil Arnold

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