Review by JD on April 4, 2016.

Speed metal is not dead and it seems that it is living in Europe at the moment and wanting to be strong again. It comes tagged in with a few other genres that mix in so effortlessly, but it is there and it does not want to be ever lost again.

Lithuania has been quietly becoming a new bastion for older styles of metal and Pekla is one of those bands. Bringing back the neck breaking attack of speed metal circa mid 80’s, infused with some other styles like thrash, traditional and even some hard rock elements to create their own sound.

Sung completely in Lithuanian but there is no need for translation of any sorts. It is simple, brutal and simply fun. With rhythms that makes your head bang away like crazy, to dizzying solos that burst forth and create that wonderful vortex of notes – can’t help but love these guys for it all. None of the songs do stand out on it’s own, but as a whole, the music deserves to be heard in its entirety.

Even though the band is sounding somewhat dated, Pekla has delivered a remarkably solid record. These guys were not trying to reinvent the wheel or discover a previously unknown element, they were just trying to make music that is good, heavy and fun. I think they have done just that.

Rating: 7 out of 10