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LIVING FAST
Running Across Steel

Witches Brew (2026)
Rating: 7/10

I’ve seen several photographs of South Florida headbangers Living Fast and they remind me of one of those obscure 80s bands you would have found on a label like Mausoleum Records. In fact, the sound belongs in that era too, this album being the debut full-length from this quintet who announced themselves on the scene two years ago with the Wall Breaker EP.

When the title track hits it’s both anthemic and formulaic, the vocals of Stefano Gugliotta being commanding warbles circa 1985, leading this pack of hungry musicians into battle. It’s solid enough, if somewhat derivative, but what isn’t these days with so many bands attempting to emulate the past. Anyway, it’s all here, galloping ‘n’ gloomy designs that provide the perfect soundtrack to a tome of sword and sorcery literature. So, while the path for Living Fast is well trodden, the dollops of nostalgia warm rather than annoy as the simplistic rattles of ‘Metallians On The Road’ ambles slickly – although it’s lyrically abysmal. There’s that dash of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in the smooth, almost stark gallop of the drums and the guitar chords are coolly melodic and fluid.

‘Never Let You Go’ and ‘Easy Comes, Easy Goes’ resonate with echoes of the 80s Scandinavian scene; the vocals are deftly unorthodox, bringing an organic wail to their style. There are layers of intrigue to behold, although much of it seems to occur in the mind of the audience who may be prone to occasional wanderings into slightly off-kilter flashbacks. ‘Speed Metal Knights’ begins with the rumble of huge drums before the band launches into more throwback torrents, this time living up to the title as those thrashy zips come to the fore.

Throughout this outing you’ll hear numerous influences ranging from vintage Saxon and Judas Priest to Raven, Exciter and Accept, although on a much lower budget. However, there are some clever little melodies littered throughout this opus, particularly the hook on ‘Dystopian’ which is a real joy, but sometimes all you crave is a straight up rocker and Living Fast don’t disappoint. The pacey ‘Endless Nights’, the dramatic ‘Live For Today’ and the equally stirring ‘Black Canvas’ are all gems which I became immersed in, and while the vocal yelps can grate at times, there are subtle variations within to constantly keep you entertained. Give this one a chance if you like straight-laced organic metal.

Neil Arnold

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