MetalGunz

Just when it seemed like things couldn’t get any better, Metalgunz took the stage. Mild-mannered as they all are off-stage, a complete transformation took place as soon as they stepped into the spotlight. Bearded frontman Taufik even seemed to look the part as he turned into a raging, angst-ridden animal, while spike-headed guitarist Yusof, grinning maniacally, ripped his way through Pantera and Slayer covers such as ‘Expendable Youth’, ‘Bloodline’, ‘Cowboys From Hell’, ‘Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit’, and ‘5 Minutes Alone’. When interviewed, Taufik expressed that it ‘felt great playing to an audience with so much energy.’ - Audioreload

Never What It Seems is an apt title for Metalgunz' debut release. Hailing from Singapore and deriving their name from two of their influences Metallica and Guns N Roses, Metalgunz offers a collection of songs that span classic hard rock and metal, on the first seven songs, to more modern alternative rock, on the last five songs. Yes, the division is quite clear, and Metalgunz succeeds on both accounts though sometimes imperfectly.

The first half of Never What It Seems begins with some fundamental hard rock on Smack Me to Death and Mosquitoes. Both are blessed with strong groove from the rhythm section, excellent guitar solos, and an ambitious lead vocal performance with the latter having nonsensical and inane lyrics. From here, things move more towards the metal side. You blends basic heavy metal with some thrashy hardcore swings. Blood Harvest, Leather Face Man and Chapter 1 all invoke classic San Francisco thrash with the first sounding more like Exodus or Testament and the latter two more like Metallica or Megadeth. The choice of the three is Chapter 1 with its significantly better arrangement and fret work.

Moving into the latter half of Never What It Seems, Metalgunz invokes a modern alternative rock motif reflecting a style more akin to Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and other bands of the 1990's who turned rock and metal on it's head. Metalgunz actively combines more acoustic guitar with Taufik's grounded and passionate vocals. Of the five, Insanity & Suicide and Ocean Ways are more up tempo rockers. In between, the earthy alt rock side of Metalgunz holds sway. Mystifying Further Sensations of Souls, Promise, and Withered are guided by excellent acoustic guitar and honest vocals. Conversely, all three sound so similar to have no nuance or distinction to identify them individually.

On their debut work Never What It Seems, Metalgunz displays their influences delivering solid hard rock and some old school thrash in the first half and more modern alt rock on the second half. However, there's no conflict here as Metalgunz performs both quite well. Recommended!
- http://www.dangerdog.com

Never What It Seems is an apt title for Metalgunz' debut release. Hailing from Singapore and deriving their name from two of their influences Metallica and Guns N Roses, Metalgunz offers a collection of songs that span classic hard rock and metal, on the first seven songs, to more modern alternative rock, on the last five songs. Yes, the division is quite clear, and Metalgunz succeeds on both accounts though sometimes imperfectly.

The first half of Never What It Seems begins with some fundamental hard rock on Smack Me to Death and Mosquitoes. Both are blessed with strong groove from the rhythm section, excellent guitar solos, and an ambitious lead vocal performance with the latter having nonsensical and inane lyrics. From here, things move more towards the metal side. You blends basic heavy metal with some thrashy hardcore swings. Blood Harvest, Leather Face Man and Chapter 1 all invoke classic San Francisco thrash with the first sounding more like Exodus or Testament and the latter two more like Metallica or Megadeth. The choice of the three is Chapter 1 with its significantly better arrangement and fret work.

Moving into the latter half of Never What It Seems, Metalgunz invokes a modern alternative rock motif reflecting a style more akin to Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and other bands of the 1990's who turned rock and metal on it's head. Metalgunz actively combines more acoustic guitar with Taufik's grounded and passionate vocals. Of the five, Insanity & Suicide and Ocean Ways are more up tempo rockers. In between, the earthy alt rock side of Metalgunz holds sway. Mystifying Further Sensations of Souls, Promise, and Withered are guided by excellent acoustic guitar and honest vocals. Conversely, all three sound so similar to have no nuance or distinction to identify them individually.

On their debut work Never What It Seems, Metalgunz displays their influences delivering solid hard rock and some old school thrash in the first half and more modern alt rock on the second half. However, there's no conflict here as Metalgunz performs both quite well. Recommended!
- http://www.dangerdog.com

Metalgunz, a straight forward rock n’ roll name with straight forward rock n’ roll songs on their latest album, “Never What It Seems”. From deep within Singapore a rock band comes with the ability to defy musical definition while tipping the hat to sleaze metal, thrash, and showing off their acoustic prowess with tasteful ballads. This cross genre sampling is a definite sign of a unique collective of artists.

As we didn’t know what to expect from a heavy metal band form Singapore, we were both caught by surprise when the speakers became electrified. Rock n’ roll heaven can come from any random place. Metalgunz proves it. Without getting too philosophical, maybe that’s what rock n’ roll needs.

One of most appealing aspects about Metalgunz on “Never What It Seems” is their talent to intertwine genres and still keep the unique sound they themselves have. They never seem like a copycat band. They play like they own the music. Another important aspect, for us as musicians, we value that they construct a songs properly and lay it down like a proper heavy metal band. There is not one song on “Never What It Seems” that seems misplaced, or a beat that breaks the Metalgunz mojo.

The art of telling stories seems to be lost in the modern rock/metal scene, but Metalgunz brings back the tradition with some clear narratives in songs such as “Leatherface”, “Smack Me To Death”, “Mosquitoes” among most other songs on the album.

If we had to compare vibe and intention, we think Metalgunz reminds us of Testament, Pantera, Alice Cooper, Megadeth and so on. They have so much going for them it’s hard to compare them. Yes, their influences are clear, but they are not ruled by those influences. Over all, “Never What it Seems” is a fun and, in our musician’s ears, a beautiful listen.

Thanks to Taufik (vocals), Yusof (guitarist), Firman (guitarist), Ming (bass) and Adham (drummer) for this gift of rock n’ roll.

Visit Metalgunz at their website (www.metalgunz.com) to get the latest information about the band and listen to some sample tracks of molten metal straight outta Singapore.
- www.rocknrollview.com

Metalgunz, a straight forward rock n’ roll name with straight forward rock n’ roll songs on their latest album, “Never What It Seems”. From deep within Singapore a rock band comes with the ability to defy musical definition while tipping the hat to sleaze metal, thrash, and showing off their acoustic prowess with tasteful ballads. This cross genre sampling is a definite sign of a unique collective of artists.

As we didn’t know what to expect from a heavy metal band form Singapore, we were both caught by surprise when the speakers became electrified. Rock n’ roll heaven can come from any random place. Metalgunz proves it. Without getting too philosophical, maybe that’s what rock n’ roll needs.

One of most appealing aspects about Metalgunz on “Never What It Seems” is their talent to intertwine genres and still keep the unique sound they themselves have. They never seem like a copycat band. They play like they own the music. Another important aspect, for us as musicians, we value that they construct a songs properly and lay it down like a proper heavy metal band. There is not one song on “Never What It Seems” that seems misplaced, or a beat that breaks the Metalgunz mojo.

The art of telling stories seems to be lost in the modern rock/metal scene, but Metalgunz brings back the tradition with some clear narratives in songs such as “Leatherface”, “Smack Me To Death”, “Mosquitoes” among most other songs on the album.

If we had to compare vibe and intention, we think Metalgunz reminds us of Testament, Pantera, Alice Cooper, Megadeth and so on. They have so much going for them it’s hard to compare them. Yes, their influences are clear, but they are not ruled by those influences. Over all, “Never What it Seems” is a fun and, in our musician’s ears, a beautiful listen.

Thanks to Taufik (vocals), Yusof (guitarist), Firman (guitarist), Ming (bass) and Adham (drummer) for this gift of rock n’ roll.

Visit Metalgunz at their website (www.metalgunz.com) to get the latest information about the band and listen to some sample tracks of molten metal straight outta Singapore.
- www.rocknrollview.com