There’s something gloriously unfussy about Bullet. No smoke and mirrors, no detours. This is denim-and-leather heavy metal, worn proudly, and on “Kickstarter” they sound utterly comfortable in their skin.
It’s also their first album in around eight years, and there’s no sense of easing back in. This is Bullet returning like they never left — only sharper, leaner, and more focused.
The opening title track “Kickstarter” comes out swinging, and straight away the Judas Priest influence is impossible to miss. It’s classic metal drive, all bite and urgency, and Dag “Hell” Hofer sounds completely at home riding those riffs — commanding, gritty, and built for this kind of music. If Bullet ever bring this song to KK’s Steel Mill, lord knows what happens to the time–space continuum.
Early on, the record leans firmly into heavy metal rather than hard rock. Hampus Klang’s guitar work is direct and muscular, favouring attack and momentum over flash, while tracks like “Caught In The Action” and “Open Fire” keep the focus on pace, hooks, and old-school intent. There’s no irony here, no distance — this is metal played with total belief.
It isn’t until track five that the gears shift slightly. That’s where the AC/DC and Bonafide influence really starts to creep in — not before. From that point on, the groove loosens, the swing becomes more pronounced, and the album starts to strut as much as it charges. It’s a subtle change, but an important one, and it adds another dimension rather than diluting what came before.
Across its 11 tracks, “Kickstarter” sticks rigidly to the old-school rulebook: concise songs, big riffs, and zero indulgence. This is Bullet understanding exactly what heavy metal is meant to do — energise, excite, and hit you straight in the chest without overthinking it.
Crucially, this sounds like a band fully locked in together after time away, not a comeback assembled for the sake of it. There’s hunger here, confidence, and a clear sense of identity.
Whether “Kickstarter” is the beginning of a longer new chapter or simply a perfectly timed return, after eight years Bullet come back doing what they’ve always done best — delivering the goods, you might say.
RATING: 8/10
