I’ve read a lot of great write-ups regarding this Michigan heavy metal four-piece called Borrowed Time, especially gaining appeal overseas through their appearance at Germany’s infamous Keep It True festival this past April. Three years after their inception and a series of demo/ split releases, the debut self-titled album comes out, and for those of you who dig deep into the archives of heavy metal history, I’m sure you are in for a great treat here.
While many American bands who play in a traditional metal style favor bigger name influences like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, Borrowed Time seem to reach a little further back into the 70’s/80’s obscure time machine along with a love for galloping rhythms, unison vocal harmonies, and this total metal battle charge mentality. “Wallow in the Mire” kicks off the proceedings in grand style, the axe work of Matt Preston and Victor Ruiz along with frantic bass play of Mark Kuro and elevated fill parts from drummer Justin Henry the perfect set up for JP Abboud to strut in mid-range to high octane vocal glory. “Libertine” rolls along with a Manilla Road meets Omen sheen, another powerful number sure to get fists waving and consumers beer swilling.
When the band chose to flex more of a mid-tempo anthem arrangement muscle, they also excel with the right riff changes and circular/ cultural elements, as “Pygmalion” should allow many to sing along and chant at all the right guitar harmonies and speed changes. It’s great to hear a younger band take the best elements from 40 years of traditional hard rock/ metal and create something fiery, passionate, and ready to take the world by storm.
9 tracks in 41 minutes, everyone who loves true/ traditional metal needs Borrowed Time in their lives.
Matt Coe, HMS
msc2471@comcast.net
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