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Deja Vu: Ejected

(Traditional) Heavy/Speed/Power Metal

4.0/5.0

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Inferno Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.04.2016

From Bavaria, Deja Vu's history goes back to the late Eighties, where they began playing classic heavy metal, basically of the "keep it true" variety. But the band basically ended as quickly as it started, when slammed by the death of heavy metal, also know as the rise of grunge. Yet, a resurrection occurred at the turn of the century, and Deja Vu has been soldiering along with new music beginning in 2006 with Bullets To Spare, and then 2008's Decibel Disease. Then more silence. But here they are with their third album, Ejected, on France's Inferno Records.

Deja Vu: all over again.

To say Deja Vu's music is classic "keep it true" heavy metal is like pinning a badge of honor upon their collective leather jackets. Their sound is no compromise heavy speed metal, with major emphasis upon speed. If this were 1987, or even earlier, this would be the precursor or progenitor of classic and modern power metal. In this sense, Deja Vu, as their name implies, has a foot in both the past and present.

The Deja Vu heavy metal formula, then, is rather specific and fundamental. Twin guitar harmony, enormous fiery leads, pitched, yet clean, vocals, and a pummeling and rumbling rhythm section. Of course, to fill out the classic metal prescription that tunes are wrapped in melody and groove. But that groove should be clarified to be more of the headbanging variety than the toe-tapping rock groove. An exception might be made for Hell Or High Water. Mostly, from the gate, everything here is a rush of speed and fury. If you like your metal fast and furious, riff blazing, thundering with a heavy bottom end, and piercing your ears with stinging guitar solos, Deja Vu and Ejected are for you. Just what the doctored ordered. Nuff said, with one exception. This is an unnecessarily long album, especially for speed metal. Deja Vu could easily have trimmed this back eight to time minutes and still have had a solid album. But, if you like this style, who's complaining. Recommended.

Deja Vu - Hell Or High Water

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If you like your metal fast and furious, riff blazing, thundering with a heavy bottom end, and piercing your ears with stinging guitar solos, Deja Vu and Ejected are for you. Just what the doctored ordered. Nuff said. Recommended.

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