INTRANCED are a four-piece based out of Los Angeles, California, playing a fusion of Hard Rock and NWOBHM. “Muerte Y Metal”, released by High Roller Records, serves as the band’s debut full-length, encompassing ten tracks of hard-hitting, groove-heavy, dirt-under-the-nails Rock and Roll. ‘Reyes De Las Tinieblas’ is the opener, which comes out swinging as a fast-paced ripper of riffs and soaring vocals. The vocal prowess of James-Paul Luna is in immediate display with a full range of technique and excellent melodicism. Guitarist Fili Bibiano spins riffs and accents straight out of the 1980s. ‘Switchblade’ is a melodic number with layered vocals and meaty riffs with tons of accents and harmonizations, it also features guest guitar work from James LaRue (WHITE WIZZARD). The traditional structuring of verses and choruses is consistent with NWOBHM stylings dating back decades, old concepts given new life. The solo towards the end of the track is masterfully executed. ‘Fantasy’ enters on pounding drums and features Luna belting out vintage vocal tremolo throughout both verse and chorus with tasteful leads and a tempered palm-mute heavy riffing driving the song forward. ‘I Dunno Nothin” opens on a pounding chord progression with a flailing solo played over top of it. The track is an uptick in tempo compared to ‘Fantasy’, KISS-style vocal harmonization fills the gap between verse and chorus. Pentatonic-based accenting invokes a heavy groove that carries that track forward. The title track scales back the upbeat tempo and enters on somber clean guitars and Spanish spoken-word. Huge multi-layered vocal harmonies once again invoke techniques and sensations that are decades old. The power chord-heavy primary riff slams against pounding drums, sure to incite interest in listeners ranging from BILLY SQUIER to UFO and everything in between. ‘Entra La Tormenta’ is a short interlude that paves the way for ‘Lady Lightning’, another change of pace on the record, and a pounding Rock’n’Roll track with brilliant riff progression and simplistic riff structuring that one can’t help but nod their head to. ‘Pulse’ is another rocking display of riff crafting and powerful traditional songwriting, utilizing huge choruses and massive hooks. ‘Passionate Pretender’ could have been ripped straight from JUDAS PRIEST’S 1977 classic “Sin After Sin”, with its vocal patterns, palm-muted galloping primary riff, and tasteful double-kick work. Closing the album is the longest track on the record, ‘See You On The Other Side’, which cracks the six minute mark. Opening on relaxed clean guitar playing with a progressive edge, the power ballad serves as a proper closing to this ancient display of Heavy Metal, replete with epic solos and a huge hook-heavy chord progression. Fans of 1970s Hard Rock, Proto-Metal and NWOBHM, bands ranging from AC/DC, UFO, IRON MAIDEN, to vintage JUDAS PRIEST will find something special here. Hooks, epic riffing, tearing solos and pounding drums culminate in a fun and heavy record in “Muerte Y Metal”. For more information on INTRANCED, see www.facebook.com/intrancedofficial. For additional information on the label, High Roller Records, feel free to check out www.facebook.com/hrrecords.