LEATHURBITCH - "SHATTERED VANITY" LP

Formed in 2015 in Portland, Oregon, LEATHÜRBITCH quickly ascended the underground ranks with the release of their self-titled debut EP in 2018 and successive debut album, Into the Night, a year later via High Roller Records. With the sound of early '80s Sunset Strip AND first Metal Massacre comps as their foundation, LEATHÜRBITCH created an addicting blend of vicious sleaze and propulsive speed, all done with power, poignancy, and above all, a larger-than-life charisma. Think early Ratt, W.A.S.P., and even Mötley Crüe meets equally early Jag Panzer, Bitch, and Armored Saint – but the best was still to come!

As the band themselves say, "The 'Bitch is back," and here's the proof: LEATHÜRBITCH's second full-length, Shattered Vanity. Undeniably their heaviest effort yet, Shattered Vanity sees the quintet getting back to their speed metal roots, ditching some of its predecessor's more melodic, near-hair metal sensibility for a sound that's piledriving but dripping with the same characteristic sleaze. Not for nothing do they brand themselves "Portland Sleaze Speed," for LP#2 proves that without a doubt, with prolific drum-god Charlie Koryn (Ascended Dead, VoidCeremony, Funebrarum et. al.) providing the propulsion. Not to be outdone, everyone in LEATHÜRBITCH deliver superlative performances across Shattered Vanity, from the twin-axe fireworks of Pat Sandiford and Alex Ponder to the more-classic-'80s-than-anyone throat of towering frontman Joel Starr. This heavier and darker approach is totally suiting the album's lyrical themes, which span the spooky and horror-related. Above all, the entirety of Shattered Vanity offers refreshing variety, moving at many (always-energetic) speeds but never forgetting true songwriting and what makes an "album" truly an album.

Any way you cut it, LEATHÜRBITCH are delivering the goods, AGAIN: pure-as-steel '80s metal done with authenticity and passion. Look in their mirror and find Shattered Vanity!