ELECTRIC POISON - Live Wire (Album Review)

Coming out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil is Electric Poison. Unfortunately, they had not crossed my path when CGCM Podcast recorded our Around the World in 80 Episodes Brazil Edition. They just reached me only a couple of weeks ago via their debut full-length Live Wire issued in November of 2019. Ahead of that, the 2014 formed group released the “Evil Possession” single in 2015 and the Desert Nights EP in 2019. The digital 3-song April issued EP has its tracks reappear on Live Wire as well.

Recording on Live Wire according to the Encyclopedia Metallum website features: Valter Musael (Guitars), Thauan Rodrigo (Vocals), Rodrigo Araújo (Bass), Renato Leal (Drums), and Leo Kim (Guitars). While currently an unsigned band, Live Wire is issued via Classic Metal Records Brazil.

ELECTRIC POISON – Live Wire (Album Review)

In the days when albums are becoming a thing of the past and bands are more and more issuing singles, wtf would a band make an intro. It’s probably my most hated thing, yes, even more so than a ballad! Totally useless. Who’s putting a 30 second or 1:30 intro on their MP3 or playlist. Not one single person that’s who. If you must include this, then at least build it as a lead-in attached to the first song.

With that little rant completed, Live Wire properly gets going in “Fast Way to Hell”. It’s a thrashy speed metal delight featuring a delicious tempo changing riff. The fun bouncing romp that is “Desert Nights” bridges between the blistering thrasher that launches Live Wire and the absolute ripper of “Running Like A Beast” in the third position. And it all flows perfectly, engaging the listener well.

Up next is the crowning glory of Live Wire IMO. “You Better Hide” has exactly the feel I love. Simple chugger grinder of a riff behind the verse. Fist raising, shoutable in concert chorus, if your neck wasn’t already getting a workout ala headbanging it should here. Watch for this one to surface on an upcoming CGCM Podcast episode!

“Live Wire” plays well in the middle of the collection surging into the literal browbeating included in “Burn The Town”. Another prime example of headbanging speed metal well-executed and featuring another concert chantable chorus. The speedy pounder “Dynamite” is next in line ahead of “Death Row”. Proceedings on this hefty slab of traditional metal wrap up with “Voices from Beyond”. The closer, while not longer than the average 4 minutes, still manages to display an epicness and is an excellent close to Live Wire.

My Final Thoughts

These Brazilians studied their NWOBHM heroes well and produced a worthy addition to the NWOTHM genre with Live Wire. The tempo changes are again thoroughly delectable and engaging. Guitar solos are tasteful in length and suitably placed.