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LIVING FAST
Wall Breaker EP

Self-released (2024)
Rating: 7/10

There’s plenty of 80s metal worship here as Florida foursome Living Fast embarks on its journey into the rock n’ roll realm. The cover art reminds of various 80s metal demo cassettes, particularly the way the guitar is bursting out the brickwork. The music is somewhat intriguing too, the band boasting a classic heavy rock vibe that hints at the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene.

Guitarist James Balcazar, who also fronts Black Denim Rage, has a bit of a punky style to his vocals as the combo starts off with the catchy title track. ‘Wall Breaker’ has an immediate hook as the drums of Shazam Humphrey drive hard. ‘Unbreakable Dream’ is fuelled by the same grit and groove, circling back to the early 80s UK scene when Angel Witch and Iron Maiden were sprouting.

It’s probably not intentional, but I do like the obscure nature of this release, the production enabling the guys to create an almost stuffy yet sizzling outing. Again the urban toughness and punk credibility comes to the fore on ‘Rock Travelers (Keep It True)’. There’s an enchanting naivety about the whole show, giving the EP an almost live atmosphere as the clan rebel against the system, particularly on namesake track ‘Living Fast’ as Balcazar defiantly barks “We will never quit, we won’t submit, we play to win” like some spotty heavy metal teenager confronting his parents after they’ve told him to turn the music down.

Strangely, there is a rather strong European feel to the sound too, as if the guys have crawled out of some stuffy hole in Germany, Netherlands or Belgium. Quite the curio then is this sweet four-song EP, and further proof the metal underground is still festering along nicely.

Neil Arnold

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