SNIPER - Open The Attack / Quick & Dead (CD)

In 1981, the journey of Nagoya heavy metallers "Sniper" began, guided by the talented teenage guitarist Burny, captivated by the electrifying NWOBHM movement sweeping the rock world. Completing high school, Burny, like many aspiring metal musicians, gathered friends to form a band. The quartet embarked on their musical odyssey, a crucial milestone being their participation in the demanding Yamaha band battle circuit, notably at MidLand '82. While victory eluded them, the experience honed their skills, setting the stage for their debut record.

"Open the Attack," the band's inaugural full-length album, unfolds over a concise 31 minutes across 8 songs. Sniper remains true to their signature speedy heavy metal, immediately seizing the audience with the title track's explosive energy. Singer Kinny sets the tone with a spirited shout, "Alright, Open the Attack!!," initiating a riff-laden heavy metal journey. The track becomes a benchmark for the record's subsequent sonic adventures.

While the album occasionally eases into mid-paced heavy metal, tracks like "Hard Time," "Over the Sky," and "Dedicate" showcase Kinny's vocal prowess. The slower tempo of "Black Rain" unveils a riff-oriented, thumping metal song, featuring one of the album's standout solo sections. Sniper then revs up the intensity, concluding with a final chorus that brings the song to a powerful close.

Selecting a favorite track proves challenging, with contenders like "Never Change" and "Fire," both exceptional and coincidentally concluding the album. "Never Change" stands out as a riffy monster, a NWOBHM-tinged speed metal track where each member contributes a stellar performance. On the other hand, "Fire" emerges as the heaviest track, featuring a captivating duel of guitar excellence between Burny and guest guitarist Raven Ohtani.

One of the most remarkable aspects of "Open the Attack" is Burny's songwriting prowess, crafting the majority of the material at the astonishing age of 16-17. His guitar skills match the brilliance of his compositions, showcasing straightforward yet catchy riffing and impressive solos. Singer Kinny Kitao complements the band's strength with clear and expressive vocals, reminiscent of vocalists like Kyoji Yamamoto and Ace.

Beyond musical prowess, Sniper distinguishes itself with unconventional lyrics, exploring themes of war, bombings, nukes, and nuclear fallout—a departure from the relatively reserved Japanese bands of the era.

"Open the Attack" remains a personal favorite, standing as one of Japan's finest 80s heavy metal records alongside the works of Loudness and Anthem. The album delivers a relentless dose of heavy metal excitement, featuring tight instrumentation, spectacular guitar work, and even a captivating guest appearance. Though Sniper gained overseas attention and magazine features, lineup turmoil eventually led to their quiet exit, leaving "Open the Attack" as a testament to their exceptional chapter in Japanese metal's story—an album that captured a fleeting magic that defined an era.