Speed Metal Project – Speed Of Soul

Speed Metal Project
Speed Of Soul
Label: Shredguy Records, LLC
Out: February 1^st, 2025
Playing time: 20:22

I recently received a request to review the EP ‘Speed Of Soul’ by a project called Speed Metal Project. The request came from Michael McDowell, the owner of the US label Shredguy Records, LLC. The EP is the label’s 56th release. Not much is known about the Speed Metal Project from Indonesia. It is the project of guitarist Aji Brokenbones. He has gathered the best musicians of his country around him. According to Encyclopaedia Metallum, the band has existed since in 2015. The description refers to the second album after ‘Eco-Centric’. However, the aforementioned page lists an EP called ‘King of the Universe’. Whatever. I listened to ‘Speed Of Soul’.

‘Fly Free’ starts quietly before pounding riffs and drums kick in. The double bass drives the singer, who sings relatively high. Fine Power Metal. Guitarist Aji Brokenbones impresses with a strong drum solo. On the other hand, ‘Angel’ is a contemplative power ballad characterised by strings and calm guitar riffs and melodies. ‘Ku Ingin Pulang’ is also a quiet song. Here, the singer mostly sings in the mid-range. Once again, (synth) strings dominate. Another heart-warming ballad. There is also a huge guitar solo. ‘Satanic Reading’ continues quietly at first. But that’s just the calm before the storm. Soon the riffs are banging out of the speakers. Melodic Metal with symphonic sprinkles. The guitar solo is played really fast. There are high-pitched Metal screams at the end. The synths also dominate ‘Traumatic’ at first. Later, rhythmic riffs and the double bass. Singer Deny soars to high pitches again.

I have to admit, the band name ‘Speed Metal Project’ doesn’t really make sense to me. However, it clearly has nothing to do with the genre of Speed Metal. But with well-made Heavy or Power Metal. There are also two wonderful ballads. I would like to hear more from this band.

Speed Metal Project – Satanic Reading: https://youtu.be/GdrttUbKu3Q?si=soTk1d4BGb2YEFW8

Lineup:

Aji Brokenbones – Guitar
Pay – Guitar
Deny – Vocals
Resha – Drums
Dede SP – Bass
Evan – Keyboards

Track list:

• Fly Free
• Angel
• Ku Ingin Pulang
• Satanic Reading
• Traumatic