Weapon 13 Reviews
"Weapon 13 comes from United States and this demo CD is their latest release for this year. The band includes three tracks and about eight minutes of pure American heavy / thrash metal. In these eight minutes the band shows to us their music direction and their musicianship which is almost great. From the first second to the last one you won't stop to do headbanging because their music is so callous that you can't resist. Bob the guitar player had give to us some incredible guitar solos and remarkable guitar riffs. Generally their compositions are well worked with interesting ideas and i am sure that Weapon 13 are ready to make the breakthrough from the demo days to the album days and the mainstream metal scene. Watch out for this band in the near future."
"Featuring ex-members of Bay Area stalwarts Hirax, the quartet Weapon 13 portray an old school punk-metal outfit nicely on the band’s three-track release. Meshing DRI with Suicidal Tendencies, songs like “Empty” righteously thrash out with the skater punk vibe, while the crushing opening of “Monster Reborn” yields a crossover metal jam that combines the primal output of Death Angel, Slayer, All, and NYHC circa 1989. Looking to revisit the glory days when metal bands didn’t wear mascara? Then Weapon 13 is a release to check out. www.weapon13.com"
"Seems like there is always something happening at HIRAX (boot)camp...While Katon leads a revamped line-up and handles the back catalogue (Black Devil Records), Gary Monardo (who has been involved in musical projects with mister De Pena since day one, including LA CHAOS and Kids Gone Bad in 83 - 84) starts Cold Blood over. Let me explain: HIRAX split up once in 1987, Katon going to PHANTASM and Gary reuniting with former HIRAX drummer (the second) John Tabares, axeman Bob Savage (LA Chaos, KGB) to ground COLD BLOOD with ex WARGOD (former Gene Hoglan's home before Dark Angel) singer Rob Perkins and fellow guitar player Brian Kelly. Cold Blood will release a 5 track demo before Gary follows Katon back in HIRAX. And the rest is history. An abortive reunion happens in 1999, then Katon has driven the HIRAX vehicle alone since. As Scott Owens is still MIA, here comes the legendary rhythmic pair again, Cold Blood thawed way. Three short songs dealing with savage murder ('Monster Reborn'), unleashed destructive urges ('The Bleeding Never Stops'), gloomy vision of the world ('Empty'), and for the musical side, Weapon 13 delivers modern crossover, with a close to Hardcore singer, and South California Thrash (let's say end of 80s Slayer influenced) approach, 'Empty' carrying HIRAX spirit definitely. Early Cro Mags fans can also enjoy. Recommended!"
Weapon 13 is a band from the USA who have ex-Hirax bassplayer Gary Monardo
in their ranks. Gary contacted me and asked me if i would like to review their
CDemo. Well here it is!
I dont have much information about the biography of the band. This demo is
well produced for a demo and has a very nice lay-out. Waepon 13 plays a kind
of crossover-metal/hardcore with a lot of Old School influences. Bands to
compare Waepon 13 with are: Leeway, Pro Pain, DRI & Violence. I'm not
really into the crossover genre anymore these days but when i hear this kind
of Old School I miss the old days………..This is very nice CD
that should at least be checked out!
Weapon 13 is a new band comprised of scene veterans. Formed by former members of Hirax and Wargod the band's three-song demo is everything fans would expect from the line-up. The songs are all about unbridled metalcore a la Hirax and old DRI. The band's straightforward attack and shouted and angry vocals are tempered and embellished by sharp riffs and impressive leads. The band's music and lyrics are mad as hell which is something younger musicians pretend is not to be fully embraced. Weapon 13 gives its listeners none of that risk averse/diversified crap. This is what it is.