Fasttaker

FAST TAKER PASSES THE TEST!!!

Every issue, METAL EDGE spotlights a new/ unsigned band from the CD, so you can investigate further knowing they've passed the METAL EDGE head-through-the-wall test.

Here is what they had to say about us:
"You don't hear much about metal bands from Puerto Rico: Puya managed to break out during the nu-metal era, and they weren't half bad, but more traditional sounds haven't escaped the island very often. With a little luck, FAST TAKER, formerly of San Juan and currently based in Florida, will break that streak and become serious global contenders. Their classic (but not retro) sound recalls late '70s/early'80s Judas Priest, particularly Gabriel Colón's powerful vocals. He may not have Rob Halford's upper register (at least, he doesn't display it ..ed Army," the song heard on our CD), but he's got power and control and never reverts to guttural grunting. If you like Early Man, Saviours or the Sword, but wish they had a little more gloss to their sound, you're gonna love FAST TAKER. They're currently working on a full-length CD featuring former Manowar drummer Kenny "Rhino" Edwards."

-Phil Freeman - METAL EDGE MAGAZINE

A compilation CD for our troops. The compilation was engineered at MOO PIGFACE Recording Studio by Dan Boyd and formatted at BMR by Bill and Jaymz Enyart. Thousands of copies of the compilation CD will be mailed to U.S. Troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We are hoping this CD takes off so millions of people will hear the heart-felt effort we have created for our US military” states Bill. They support the soldiers, the war on terror, and a successful mission. - Music Industry News Network

All Access Music Magazine stopped by a "metal show" @The Haven , in Winter Park on November 1st . We thought we'd check it out. Here's what we witnessed.

It seems we missed the first band, but we came just in time for Fast Taker a band from Tampa. This four piece band sounded really good. A mixture of Judas Priest, Motley Crue and Iron Maiden all rolled into one. An awesome classic old school metal band. With on the money singing style vocals , something you don't see much of in this world of growling metal bands. Great lead guitar work, as well as some head bangin' bass and drums. These guys were a lot of fun to watch. They put on a really good performance . A "Great" band to watch and keep an eye on! - All Access Magazine - December 2008

Locofest March 14, 2009
LOCOFEST will take place March 14th at the beautiful Palm Beach International Raceway. There will be over 25 bands and Ultra-Fast International Motorcycle racing throughout the day. Fans and bands are allowed to camp on friday and Saturday night. Its a weekend of camping with bikini's, bikes and rock and roll!!! This is a major event that has a low dough ticket price. It is only $25 for over 25 bands and international motorcycle racing. Headlining the event is the #1 band in the country on active rock radio now! MUDVAYNE. Read More...
Palm Beach International Raceway
17047 Beeline Highway
Jupiter, FL 33478

Camp Friday and Saturday night at South Florida's Biggest Spring Break BASH with THE BUZZ! Jammin' Bands and Groovin' DJ's rock you into the late night under the starlit sky. Saturday morning Wake and Bake with The Buzz and prepare yourself for what you are about to receive. ...ROCK!!! LOCOFEST stage, only steps away from your campsite, will be packed with high energy bands all day! Space is LIMITED - so secure your ASS and get a CAMPING PASS with your LOCOFEST Ticket NOW at www.ticketmaster.com!
- Palm Beach Raceway

USA
http://www.harvestmoonmusic.com/reviews/fast_taker_01.html

Fast Taker
Fast Taker
(2005)
self-financed

HMM Rank:

Puerto Rico's Fast Taker grew from the desire of founding members
Gabriel Colón (vocals) and Hector Torres (bass) to enliven the
traditional metal scene of their Caribbean island home. Although the
band has suffered several lineup changes since first coming together
in 2000, Gabriel and Hector weathered the storm and have come away
with a strong group of musicians including guitarist Yamil González
and drummer José Colón. With a settled roster, Fast Taker entered the
studio in 2004 to create their self-titled debut release.
The band's music is, first and foremost, '80s influenced melodic heavy
metal played with the flair and emotion of such memorable acts as
Metal Church, Sanctuary, and Dio. The opening track, "I Can See", has
reached the top of local rock charts and serves as a good choice to
get the album started. A wistful lead from González soon gives way to
scratchy riffing and José's crashing beats, keeping the song moving at
a quick pace throughout. González noodles out a couple of solos during
the latter moments of the track, showing off his superb style.
Frontman Gabriel has acceptable range for Fast Taker's style of music,
though his strength is clearly in his upper range (even belting out
some wails that Halford and Dickinson would be proud of). This
combination of both wild and precise guitar playing and "true" metal
vocals makes the first track a highlight of Fast Taker, and bleeds
through the remaining tracks to make most of them a quality listen.

The next track, "Hopeless Addict", is my favorite of the album and
introduces a bit of a departure in sound from "I Can See". Gabriel
instills a bit of a punkish attitude in his vocal style and remains
largely in his lower registry, with only a few shouts spaced here and
there. The riffs bite deep on this track, with a ton of weight
provided by Hector's four-string. González gets wild again with his
solo, and the formula comes together to create a very catchy song. On
the subject of catchiness, the majority of the choruses border on
having that sing-along quality and so serve very well to draw the
listener into the tune. The chorus on "Cry For Peace" takes that trait
one step further and is one of the more addictive elements of Fast
Taker, remaining in memory well after the music fades.

After running at full steam for three tracks, Fast Taker slows things
down with "Broken Dreams". A power ballad in the truest sense of the
term, and having very much a Scorpions vibe to it (think "Still Loving
You"), the song is the weakest of the 7 tracks. Yes, it does have that
lighter-waving appeal to it, with Gabriel reaching deep to deliver a
very nice performance, but the song simply fails to stick. The band
follows the ballad up with "My Nature", another cut that dips below
the standard set by the opening trio. Still, González is in great form
here with some tumultuous solos and leads while Gabriel goes back to
that slightly punkish style to give the tune a sleazy, hair metal
aura.

The final two tracks, "Reaching For Nothing" and "Morir En El Asfalto"
(the latter sung entirely in Spanish), introduce yet another aspect of
Fast Taker's sound. Hearkening back to the early days of Testament,
Metallica, and Exodus, these tracks turn up the thrashiness and cloud
the atmosphere with a doomy mood. The epic "Reaching For Nothing"
ranks as my second favorite track, combining some great atmospherics,
very expressive solos, monstrous riffs and quality vocal hooks. Having
slightly stalled midway through the album, the band pulls out the
stops and delivers big to wrap up the disc.

With a core sound that is familiar and nostalgic, Fast Taker further
injects a few thrashy elements to create an album that has cross-
generational appeal. Fans of all the bands I've mentioned in this
review will love Fast Taker for its recognizable sound, while those
who favor more contemporary power metal will find much to enjoy in the
fine guitar work and strong vocals. Aside from a slightly thin
production, this album is a fun listen and a quality debut.

Reviewed 09/26/2005

Track Listing
1 I Can See 4:58
2 Hopeless Addict 5:04
3 Cry For Peace 4:41
4 Broken Dreams 4:24
5 My Nature 4:05
6 Reaching for Nothing 8:21
7 Morir en el Asfalto 4:24
- Reviewed 09/26/2005

Germany

http://www.laermbelaestigung.net/mag/index.html

Eine hervorragendes Metal Minialbum kommt aus der Karibik zu uns
rübergeschwappt. FAST TAKER nennt sich das Quartett aus Puerto Rico
und serviert den Metal-Gourmets einen feinen Happen soliden Stahls.
Die sieben Songs der Silikon Scheibe lassen Erinnerungen an längst
vergangene, kultige Eigenpressungen der 80er wach werden, denn das
Material der Verfechter des klassischen Metals hat in der Tat eine
starke US Metal Schlagseite. Den Auftakt macht „I Can See“, ein
treibender Metal Song im typischen amerikanischen Metal
Stil. „Hopeless Addict“ atmet auch von diesem Flair, ein typischer
Stampfer mit etwas kommerzielleren Chorus. Weitere erstklassige Stücke
sind die Midtempo Hymne „My Nature“ und das in spanisch
gesungene „Morir En El Asfalto“, ein rauer, kantiger und schneller
Track, der die CD ausklingen lässt. Selbst eine Ballade wie „Broken
Dreams“ wird gekonnt dargeboten und wirkt zu keiner Zeit kitschig.
FAST TAKER verfügen mit Gabriel Colon über einen ausdrucksstarken
Sänger, der eine klare und angenehme Stimme besitzt und nur vereinzelt
in höheren Gefilden wandelt. Gitarrist Yamil Gonzales ist ein kleiner
Wizzard an seinem Instrument und drückt den Kompositionen unweigerlich
seinen Stempel auf. Das Riffing kommt wie aus einen Guss und die Solis
sind brillant und ausgefeilt. Herrlich! Die Rhythmus Fraktion bildet
einen soliden Klangteppich für das schnörkellose Material. Zu
Überzeugen weiß auch die Produktion des Silberlings. Die Stücke kommen
klar und kräftig rüber und besitzen dieses gewisse 80er Feeling.
Anhänger traditioneller Stahl Schmiedekunst, vor allem Fans des 80er
US Metals, sollten dieser exquisiten Band durchaus einmal ihre
Aufmerksamkeit schenken. Es dürfte sich durchaus lohnen!

Michael

Translation:

A marvelous mini album comes across the ocean from a Caribbean island. FAST TAKER, a quartet which is hailing from Puerto Rico,
serves a real solid piece of steel for all the metal gourmets out
there. The seven songs on this little plastic disc remind me on long
and past times of the 80s with its cult & self financed pressings
because this true warriors of steel indeed have a real strong US Metal
influence in their sound. The disc starts off with “I Can See”, a real
driving, catchy song forged in the typical American style. “Hopeless
Addict” also breathes this kind of flair, a real pounding track with a
little more commercial touch in the chorus. Some more first class
tunes are the mid paced hymn “My Nature” and the Spanish sung
track “Morir En El Asfalto” which is a raw, rough and fast banger
which finishes the album. Even the ballad “Broken Dreams” is very well
done and doesn’t sound cheesy at no time. FAST TAKER have a real
expressive singer in Gabriel Colon who has a clear
and agreeable voice which just reaches sometimes higher pitches.
Guitarist Yamil Gonzales is a real wizard on his instrument and
highlights the compositions with his splendid play. The riffs are out
of a piece, the leads are sheer brilliant and sophisticated. Great!
The rhythm section delivers a solid and powerful basis for the
straight forward material. And also the production can totally
convince me. The tunes are clear and powerful and have this certain
feeling of the 80s. Followers of traditional steel, especially fans of
the 80s US Metal style, should check this one out.

Michael
- Michael

* Spanish press review in Puerto Rico *

by: Arlene Irizarry - Pulso Rock

A través del tiempo la música ha sido un vehículo de expresión artística capaz de satisfacer y entretener a sus seguidores en distintas épocas y géneros musicales. Todo puede ser espléndido y apacible dentro del estudio de grabación o en la sala de ensayos, incluso estando entre enemigos: un paraíso escondido. La música puede ser un agente catalizador capaz de hacer olvidar los más tontos debates o las grandes rencillas. Sin embargo, una vez un artista se presenta ante el ojo público, tanto en el mainstream como en la propia escena subterránea, se expone a la verdadera cara de la música y no todos sobreviven, en muchas ocasiones porque no están preparados para asumir la lluvia de críticas, insultos personales o el debate que ello genera.

El rock nunca ha estado exento de la polémica, todo lo contrario. En otras décadas la controversia era casi sinónimo del rock y la trillada frase "sex drugs & rock and roll" es un vivo ejemplo de ello. Podríamos mencionar que antes que el rap, el hip hop o el propio reaggetón hablaran de "tiraera" ya existían disputas y rivalidades públicas entre músicos dentro del propio rock. Insultos por lo bajo, rencillas personales y rencores han ido de la mano de grandes exponentes del género, que han sido protagonistas de agrias disputas y creadores de letras contestatarias de un lado y otro. Desde Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Axl Rose y Vince Neil hasta Pearl Jam y Nirvana, entre otros tantos. En fin, no hay género musical que esté libre de polémicas y, al igual que en la política, el más fuerte sobrevive.

Pero, mientras las discusiones suben de tono y la gente se entretiene hurgando en las vísceras del chismorreo, el astuto vuelca a su favor toda la vorágine creada por la controversia, convirtiéndola en energía positiva y contraatacando a sus detractores a través de la música. Tal es el caso de Fasttaker, banda de heavy metal local cuya sinceridad ha sido el centro de grandes discusiones dentro de la escena de rock local. El grupo, formado en el 2003 y compuesto por Gabriel Colón (Voz), Héctor Torres (bajo), Carlos Rivera (batería), Yamil González (guitarra) y Roberto Montalvo (guitarra), se encuentra actualmente trabajando en lo que será oficialmente su primera producción discográfica.

Sus inicios no son diferentes a cualquier otra banda de rock: el típico sueño de cinco muchachos de armar un grupo entre amigos con el propósito de tocar la música que les apasiona. Así pues, emprenden su travesía dentro del difícil mundo musical. En poco tiempo graban su primer EP y un golpe inesperado del destino los coloca en el top ten de la principal estación de radio local de rock con el tema I can see. En un abrir y cerrar de ojos Fasttaker estaría en boca de todos, para bien de muchos y mal de otros. La respuesta del público no se hizo esperar y su música prontamente comenzó a cobrar notoriedad en las ondas radiales y en la escena de rock en la Isla. Sin embargo, para Fasttaker esta notoriedad repentina representó también enfrentar a un público que no ha visto con buenos ojos el desarrollo de la banda y su sinceridad ante la constante crítica de la que son objeto.

"Lo único que hemos hecho desde nuestros inicios es dar a conocer nuestra música, tocar y seguir desarrollándonos como banda pero, ante los chismes y las calumnias que se han generado sobre nosotros hemos tenido que defendernos", han señalado en repetidas ocasiones. Según la banda los comentarios negativos hacia ellos, más que desviar su atención, han afianzado sus ganas de continuar haciendo nueva música, no prestando atención a los chismes y trabajando con el apoyo de pocos. Sin embargo, mencionan que no deja de asombrarles la hipocresía que reina dentro del género y entre algunos músicos de la escena.

Y, mientras algunos invierten su tiempo y energía en pequeñeces Fasttaker continúa trabajando en la producción de su primer álbum, que esperan tener listo a finales de este año. De manera que podemos decir que hay Fasttaker para rato. Pulsorock.com entrevistó a los miembros de Fasttaker y ésto es lo que nos comentan sobre su trabajo actual.

¿De donde surge el nombre de Fasttaker?

Hector: es un poco complicado , solo yo te puedo explicar el concepto pero en otra ocasión

¿Cuántas canciones tendrá este disco que están grabando actualmente?

Gabo: De 10 a 12 canciones
Hector: Mucho más de lo que hayas escuchado hasta ahora.

Comenten brevemente sobre qué puede esperar el público de este álbum en términos musicales.

Robert: Algo que la gente no va esperar, nada que ver con el viejo Fasttaker.

¿Cómo trabajan las composiciones, de manera individual o colectivamente?

Hector: Ambas formas. Al principio siempre fueron individuales pero en estos momentos de nuestra carrera estamos fusionando las ideas de todos los integrantes, lo cual hará que este disco sea especial, como ya algunos han notado con la canción que tocaron en Alfa Rock, solo varias veces pues la misma esta en pre- producción. Sonó sólo para que la gente tuviera una pequeña idea de lo que viene por ahi.

¿Qué planes a largo plazo tiene la banda?

Hector: WOOOoooooooo! To everyone, you better go home to your wife and wash the dishes ‘cause were going downtown baby, to have a party and you can only wish you were with us.


Link-> To read more just follow this link:

http://www.pulsorock.com/entrevistas/entrevista.php?id=528

- www.pulsorock.com

New headliners added: Mudvayne, Nonpoint, In This Moment, and EOTO. Over 50 bands for $25. Plus Camping from the 13th to the 15th. Florida Championship Motorcycle Racing free with ticket purchase. Tell them you want to see Fast Taker. - www.locopalooza.com