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ARMSTRONG GUN
Struck With Steel EP

Self-released (2023)
Rating: 8/10

Hot on the heels of last year’s superb self-titled debut album, Surrey rockers Armstrong Gun continues its journey whereby old school metal traditions are channelled with further fury and fluidity. Of all the UK heavy metal acts, Armstrong Gun is the act I expect to get the recognition they deserve because this is some serious no frills, no poser heavy rock.

Last time round my only slight quibble was drummer Lewis Tocker’s vocal delivery which at times I found rather unsuitable and a bit rough around the edges, but it seems he has tweaked his tones so that the three tracks he fronts here – ‘Made Of Rock & Steel’, ‘Ale Gang’ and ‘Burning The Miles’ – maintain that punky edge but with more conviction. However, I still prefer bassist Dan Mortimer’s delivery and would rather hear Tocker focus on his drums. But hey, not everyone can be pleased and it’s a detail I put forward previously so it’s no real biggie except that the sound of the band just feels a tad unbalanced with two separate vocalists.

Musically however, Armstrong Gun is quite the force. The band channel the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal although parts of ‘Made Of Rock & Steel’ grind like early Mötley Crüe. Everything about Armstrong Gun feels and sounds raucous, energised, and above all, fun. and yet within the rust and discarded bolts and beer cans there is a core of talent which results in some seriously catchy tunes.

‘Ale Gang’ drives with so much attitude and vim, ‘Love & War’ gallops with a steel and fire, and closer ‘Heaven’s Gate’ simmers with great, suspenseful effect and then chugs with an almost doomy fashion as Mortimer sends out his commands and barks that chorus.

Armstrong Gun is the sort of band you’d expect to exist in the early 80s and fade out by 1985. They have that peculiar cult feel to their sound that drifts gleefully between punky rock (‘Burning The Miles’) and those already mentioned gloom-laden, organic old metal stomps.

Throughout this opus I can latch on to Cameron Smith’s crisp, rattling guitar tone and really enjoy the thunderous ride he constructs coupled with Aaron Sharma’s chops on ‘Love & War’.

Struck With Steel is such an intriguing brew, and when the next full-length does emerge I’ll be interested to see how the vocal duties are shared and whether it succeeds. But for now we have another riotous affair to enjoy, so strap yourself in and take another trip with my favourite UK metal act at the moment.

Neil Arnold

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