Metal Underground.com

If you don't like Motorhead and other punk-flavored metal with a sense of humor, something tells me that you should stop reading this review right here. Go listen to some hyper-technical act singing about pollution and political discord and let those of us who like music best accompanied by the slosh of beer against the rim of our mug talk about Malignant Tumour's "In Full Swing."

Malignant Tumour's been infecting Eastern Europe since the early 1990's, but if this album's any indication, there's never been a better time to check these Czechs out — especially since they're going to have a new album out by the end of this year.

"We Paint The Town Red" brings the thunder early on with a heavy slog of an intro that gives way to a light-speed Motorhead sound, with singer/guitarist Bilos delivering some of the most convincing growls in metal since Lemmy himself. Bilos and fellow ax-man Koral trade licks like the seasoned pros they are, while drummer David does a great Philthy Animal impression.

"We Are The Metal" is a bold song title, but one the band quickly earns with the Halford-esque shriek that begins the tune. So what if it sounds almost exactly like the first song? This is music for a bar fight, not a night at the opera.

"Bristroll" experiments with a slower tempo before we head back into full-throttle mode with the delightfully named "Smack The Fools." Generally, I liked the faster numbers better, but the next track, "High Time To An End," has a great slow crunch.

"In Full Swing" and "Hellbooze Armageddon" give bassist Simek a chance to show off a little, with the latter having a distorted sound reminiscent of Mister Kilmister.

There's not a bad song to be had here, though you'll likely start noticing some extreme similarities here and there. Are the lyrics silly? You betcha. But then again, there's a bit of charm in verses like "I see the barrels of cool and greatest beer/Our fans know they drink without fear." Besides that, most of the songs are so fast you'll never understand the words unless you read the lyrics booklet anyway.

Malignant Tumour's "In Full Swing" isn't original in any way, shape or form. What it is is loud, fast and fun — and you can't ask for much more than that.