Formed in 2009, the band have been treading the boards for years with their heavy metal tribute show performing all the classic songs from bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and more in one big highly entertaining and memorable live full concert production show. This led to the release of a seven track EP in 2013 called For True Fans Of Rock/Metal featuring cover songs of the above mentioned bands which was well received among the heavy music press. Matterhorn then went on to tour the EP to a wider audience sharing Aussie stages with former Judas Priest vocalist Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens and the one and only Paul Di’Anno of Iron Maiden’s early years.

Then the requests started coming in to hear some of the bands own songs… and, due to overwhelming demand, the band have produced a slab of their own metal material and called it Crimes Of Man.

The album features thirteen original songs that feature vocalist Amanda Ozolins‘ incredible power, range and control. There is something formidable about her voice that comes roaring out of the speakers and grabs the listener by the throat, commanding their attention.

Focusing your attention further, guitarist Brendan Ozolins delivers riffs that honour his roots and are instantly recognisable as one hundred per cent metal riffage. There are no breakdowns or prog weirdness going on (hurrah! – old school ed.), just straight up pummelling riffs and soaring solos of pure molten metal. The full frontal assault is driven home via Steve Opitz and Jaryd Dorey on bass and drums, who lock down monstrous groove from the engine room.

Ozolin’s lyrics tackle some pretty heavy contemporary issues, from the superficial nature of social media on album opener Judge Nought, through Burial Ground‘s corporate greed, to Asylum‘s take on the refugee crisis, and the ever present threat of global conflict discussed in Spear Of Destiny. Plus the uniquely Aussie Guest Of His Majesty which gives the First Fleet and early Australian life a metal soundtrack.

If it’s pure, unadulterated heavy freakin’ metal that you want, Matterhorn have got what you need!