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POWERHOUSE
American Rebel

Self-released (2025)
Rating: 6.5/10

Released on American Independence Day, American Rebel is the sophomore full-length slab from San Antonio, Texas-based headbangers Powerhouse. American Rebel emerges just a year-and-a-half after 2024 debut Darkest Before Dawn. These guys, well, lead guitarist Niko Valdez, have been around since 2016. There have been a few line-up changes since their formation; in 2019 Valdez took over lead vocal duties and in 2022 drummer Toni joined the band, then a year later bassist and backing vocalist Nik Gonzalez completed the formation.

Powerhouse very much bridges the gap between heavy and thrash metal. This outing looks like a forgotten leftover from 1986 and the sound isn’t afraid to tap into that period either. American Rebel is a straight laced album which provides streaks of thrash alongside a robust metal style, circa Metal Church, Vicious Rumours etc.

I’ve always been a big fan of thrashy metal that is accessible. There’s no real levels of intricacy here, just fresh, crisp riffs which wouldn’t seem out of place on Metallica’s Ride The Lightning (1984). Even the vocals boast that early James Hetfield fluidity, especially on the exceptional ‘Bring The Reign’. There is pace, but it’s delivered in a measured manner which is the result of so many punchy melodies. Even the cover of UFO’s ‘Rock Bottom’ has a nice metallic snarl.

There’s certainly a strong nostalgic waft about the album, a warm familiarity and smoothness that enables the songs to run seamlessly for the 33 minutes duration. It could be argued that the album is a tad formulaic, but it’s never been easy standing out from such a cluttered genre. Even so, and just like fellow U.S. thrashers Labyrinth, there’s that welcoming crunch.

The title track offers a simple riff and tidy drum pattern, although it’s probably the least inspiring cut served. Both ‘Fight Fight Fight’ and ‘Redemption’ open with standard chugs, but I’m still very much engaged even if it comes across as watered down thrash. At times there’s a Meliah Rage vibe going on alongside an 80s UK thrash influence, never reaching levels of all out aggression but maintaining an admirable steadiness.

Maybe American Rebel might have benefitted more from being an EP, but as it stands this is solid enough material, although I’m not sure it does enough to demand attention in spite of its good points.

Neil Arnold

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