Review KILLER “The Grand Finale”

Somehow, Killer have always struck me as Belgium’s answer to Anvil. Like Anvil’s debut, the Antwerp band’s first album arrived in 1981. And while Killer took a longer break between 1987 and 2002, they never lost touch with their signature sound. So it’s hardly surprising that the band will be joining Anvil as support on their upcoming tour.

The trio never enjoyed a major commercial breakthrough, but thanks to a string of solid albums, Killer have long been regarded as an underground classic. Now Shorty, Jakke, and Vanne return with The Grand Finale. As the title suggests, this is the band’s final full-length – the last chapter from one of the pioneers of Belgian heavy metal.

With ten new songs, the Belgians are going out with plenty of noise. There’s nothing quiet or restrained about The Grand Finale. These songs have a certain raw physical force, hitting the speakers with considerable impact. It’s hardly a surprise that the title track is one of those full-on assaults.

“Gone Too Soon” brings a more subdued moment to the album, which makes perfect sense considering the influence Motörhead and Lemmy had on Killer’s development. At the same time, the song leaves enough room for a broader interpretation and provides a welcome change of pace.

Since we’ve already mentioned Motörhead, “Roll the Dice” delivers another roaring metal track with some clear parallels to the legendary band. The fact that Lloyd “Lemmy” from Motorheadz contributes vocals only strengthens the impression that this song is very much a salute to Lemmy and company. Subtle? Not exactly. But sometimes subtlety isn’t what heavy metal is looking for.

Things get darker with “Hard Day Coming,” a stomping mid-tempo rocker that leads into “Don’t Get Me Wrong.” The latter is a solid blend of rock and metal, even if it doesn’t quite rank among the album’s strongest cuts. “The Fire Still Burns” is more convincing, with its driving rhythm making it surprisingly easy to find yourself headbanging from the comfort of your favorite chair.

Killer save another hard-hitting track for the finale with “What You See Is What You Get.” Featuring Lloyd “Lemmy” on vocals once again, it gives Motörhead another nod before the curtain finally comes down.

Killer are going out loud, reminding everyone why they remain one of the most important names Belgium’s metal scene has put in the spotlight. This is heavy metal without the frills: no fancy packaging, no unnecessary detours, just riffs, attitude, and plenty of volume. Denim and leather are very much the order of the day here – and with Killer heading out on tour with Anvil, it looks like the old-school heavy metal rulebook is still getting plenty of use.