Čad – Ťažký Kov
The name translates as Heavy Metal but owls are not what they seem.
Čad is a long-standing crust’n’roll band from Slovakia, active since 1994. Proudly drug-free (though not calling themselves straight edge), they’ve coined the term “ripcore” for their high-energy, hard-hitting sound. Over the years, Čad has built an impressive discography, recording splits with international acts like Unholy Grave, Entrails Massacre, and Ahumando Granujo, alongside LPs for DIY labels and a split with local crust legends Beton.
Their latest record, Ťažký Kov (“Heavy Metal” in Slovakian), marks the first release from Slovakian label My Sleeping Cat after a seven-year hiatus. Opening with the driving “Červy,” reminiscent of Discharge and Chaos UK, the album immediately grabs your attention. The title track slows things down with heavy riffs, steering far from classic metal sounds while staying undeniably powerful. Tracks like “Skaza,” “Zombie Masaker,” and “Kultúra Smrti” blend some old-fashioned crust and punk rock with a bit of Motörhead swagger, delivering relentless sound across both sides of the album.
Recorded at Shaark Studio in the Czech Republic (known for working with grindcore heavyweights like Gride), and mixed/mastered at Mana Studio in Florida (Cannibal Corpse, Madball, Six Feet Under), the album has a super clean, dynamic production. The Slovakian lyrics are crystal clear, even if you don’t speak the language, although no lyric translations are provided.
