In this episode, we are back with another installment of Music Notes with Nuno. Chuck and Nuno reunite across the globe to dive into a special assignment. Chuck’s buddy Vic from the Michigan-based label Dystopian Dogs Productions sent over a brand new 12-track compilation vinyl titled Wrong Way Rockers: Peninsular Metal. They dive into the record, admire the old-school artwork, and give a track-by-track breakdown.

Album Spotlight: Wrong Way Rockers: Peninsular Metal

* Label: Dystopian Dogs Productions

* Format: Vinyl compilation featuring 12 metal tracks from the Michigan area.

* Artwork: The cover art by Timothy Jenkins gives off an old-school Frank Kozik vibe. The inside gatefold photo by David Zimmerman sets the tone.

* Extras: The record comes with an awesome booklet where each band gets a dedicated page to showcase their art and info.

* Overall Vibe: Both Chuck and Nuno agree the compilation is incredibly well-thought-out, perfectly balancing different metal subgenres (thrash, progressive, power) without a single track feeling out of place.

Track-by-Track Review (Side A)

1. Dungeon Beast – “To Shatter What Binds”

* The Vibe: Heavy metal with a progressive flare and power metal elements.

* Highlights: An energetic instrumental track chock-full of great guitar leads and sweet solos.

* Background: Originally from Lansing, MI, the band appears to have reunited after a 10-15 year hiatus.

2. Sauron – “The Infernal Sword”

* The Vibe: Slayer-esque infused metal with early black metal riffs.

* Highlights: Features staccato riffing and a mix of raspy and operatic (Mercyful Fate-style) vocals.

* Background: An old-school band that fully embraces the spiked gauntlet aesthetic; Chuck actually saw them live at Berserker a while back.

3. Low Magic – “Sinister Barrier”

* The Vibe: Labeled as “Dungeon Synth,” but reminds Nuno heavily of Turbo-era Judas Priest.

* Highlights: High-soaring melodic vocals paired with electronic riffing.

* Background: A one-man project with a cool, DIY/lo-fi aesthetic.

4. Locust Point – “City Sharks”

* The Vibe: Clutch-infused stoner rock with a working-class, blue-collar ethic.

* Highlights: Highly charged rock music reminiscent of heavy 70s rock and early Tygers of Pan Tang.

* Background: One of Chuck’s absolute favorites; he highly recommends their previous full-length album.

5. Syder – “Hell Thrashing Death Brigade”

* The Vibe: Blackish-infused thrash metal loaded with punk attitude.

* Highlights: A devastating, raw, fast-paced track that channels early Slayer, Bathory, and Venom.

6. Acid Witch – “You’re Melting”

* The Vibe: A mix of evil metal and stoner rock fueled by the spirit of King Diamond.

* Highlights: Eerie keyboard melodies mixed with high-pitched vocals.

* Background: Closes out Side A. The band shows off their veteran status here with highly professional production and composition—while clearly having a lot of fun.

7. Nuke – “Crossfire”

* The Vibe: Early Iron Maiden (circa Killers) with raspy vocals and a heavily punkish attitude.

* Highlights: A street-wise, thrashy track that channels early Metallica (Kill ‘Em All), Sodom, and the Canadian thrash pioneers Exciter.

* Background: Kicks off Side B. The track’s raw, formative energy leads the guys into a discussion about who really recorded the first thrash metal song.

8. Jail – “January”

* The Vibe: Hell Awaits-era Slayer worship with a darkened, Satanic thrash aesthetic.

* Highlights: A fast-paced, old-school thrash track that also brings early Dark Angel to mind.

* Background: The aggressive, “evil sounding” nature of the track leads Chuck and Nuno into a fun tangent about the early days of metal panic and overzealous religious protesters at Ozzy and Maiden shows.

9. Cruthu

* The Vibe: Epic doom blended with epic power metal vocals.

* Highlights: A unique mashup style that gives off a heavy Candlemass vibe.

* Background: Nuno’s 4th favorite track on the compilation. Both Chuck and Nuno single out vocalist Ryan for his compelling vocal delivery, with Nuno declaring this the best vocal performance on the entire record.

10. Anguish – “Celephaïs”

* The Vibe: Power metal with soaring, high-register vocals reminiscent of Grim Reaper, infused with psychedelic wah pedal work.

* Highlights: Chuck and Nuno describe the interesting guitar work as what it would sound like “if Jimi Hendrix had a metal band”.

* Background: Features the kind of “Jimi Hendrix infused Wawa pedal” work that prompts Nuno to (jokingly) trash Metallica’s Kirk Hammett.

11. Prelude to Ruin – “Take It Away”

* The Vibe: Lively power metal with ripping guitar solos and a haunting, classical vibe.

* Highlights: An operatic, epic track deeply influenced by Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol.

* Background: Nuno’s 5th favorite track. The song’s clear reverence for Manilla Road sparks a passionate agreement between Chuck and Nuno that Manilla Road is one of the most underrated bands in metal.

12. Time Gambler – “Stalemate”

* The Vibe: A fine line between hard rock and power metal with strong New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) influences, akin to early Saxon.

* Highlights: Hard rock-leaning vocals paired with driving power metal guitar riffs and instrumentation.

* Background: Closes out the album, and ranks as Nuno’s 6th favorite track. It represents that classic early ‘80s transitional era when hard rock was evolving into heavy metal, reminiscent of the Paul Di’Anno years of early Iron Maiden.

Nuno Babo

Check out Nuno at Needle In A Substack and Loud Hailer Magazine

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