Last year, Earache Records released Heavy Metal Killers—a compilation of the best up-and-coming traditional heavy metal bands around the world. Not surprisingly, most of the bands that were featured hail from Scandinavia and Europe. Only two bands—Cauldron and White Wizzard—represent North America, with the latter being the only one from America. I asked myself, where the hell are the other American bands? For a country that spawned such great bands as Manowar, Agent Steel, Riot and Abattoir, there must be some young bands out there carrying the torch. Well, there aren’t many but I have found one. That band is Rhode Island-via-Brooklyn’s Natur.

Natur’s sound can be best described like this: Roky Erickson, after having one drink too many, singing over the heaviest riffs from the Judas Priest and Mercyful Fate catalog. Unlike White Wizzard, who in my opinion are too polished and glam-sounding, Natur are extremely raw, aggressive and full of attitude, similar to Iron Maiden’s Paul Di’Anno years.

The self-titled demo starts off with “Metal Knights,” an intro/instrumental track that sounds as glorious as the title. In true heavy metal fashion, it’s packed with lots of solos and melodies—thanks to guitarists Dino Destroyer and Weibust (who also supply the great vocals). Immediately following the intro track is “Zorched,” which is very reminiscent of early Angel Witch and Diamond Head, if “Fast” Eddy Clarke (Fastway, Motorhead) was swinging the ax. Which is to say: the song is built upon lots of different riffs rather than ideas, and has a punk-ish, “fuck you” attitude. More importantly, the songs are memorable. The excellent rhythmic foundation is layed by drummer Tooth and bassist the Mexicutioner, and is best demonstrated on “Goblin Shark” and the closer “Spider Baby.”

The reason why I love these four tracks so much is that it’s heavy metal done the way it’s supposed to be done. Not only does the band have loads of authentic attitude, and just the right amount of catchiness (if you heard Tank’s “Honor & Blood,” you’ll know what I mean). The lyrics and themes are not the usual Satanic or H.P. Lovecraft themes employed by so many bands in the genre. But Natur’s tongue-and-cheek humor doesn’t take away from the actual music.

Natur reminds me why I got into heavy metal in the first place—the riffs hit so hard that you can’t help but headbang. True heavy metal isn’t dead, and these guys prove it. But don’t just take my word for it: head over to their MySpace page to stream this demo for yourself.—Henry Yuan