Introducing: Loaded Deck

North Carolina band Loaded Deck aim to pay homage to the metal gods and heroes of the past, especially the 70s and 80s new wave of British heavy metal, in a sound they describe as Old School Metal.

The project was started by Salisbury roadie-turned-musician Mada J. Aktud (vocals, guitar and bass), alongside Owen Teague (lead guitar) and JR “NOB” Jovi (drums). It’s packed with old-school guitar goodness and raw instrumentals supporting sarcastic lyrics and social commentary. And on the sound the band has honed, Mada told us: “It focuses on the old ‘traditional’ hard rock to earlier heavy metal sounds.”

The band sent us new track Murderous Ways, which opens up with a wolf whistle and a piercing guitar solo over cool driving guitar chords. Engaging vocals come in, before cool higher-pitched vocals feed into a fun chorus led by almost spoken-style vocals. The intensity increases with a funky little riff over slightly creepy spoken vocals feeding into a final chorus before going out with screeching guitars and more spoken vocals.

That track comes from Loaded Deck’s debut album Playin’ Dirty, which was released in October. We particularly enjoy the third track Chinese Laundry and the lively Takin’ Out The Trash, and it concludes in style with the excellent 30 Days.

On the album, Mada told us: “It feels like a great accomplishment to bring my music to the fans of hard rock and metal. I’ve released music in the past in different projects but it always serves as a feeling of great satisfaction to tell my satirical stories to see if people ‘get it’ and can rock out to it. There’s always a feeling of accomplishment.  Putting your work out there for all to see, whether they like it or not. I’m putting my stories on the table… just open the book.”

The Loaded Deck has been inspired most prominently by one particular individual, who Mada describes as: “The obvious influence is the one most stated. He is no longer with us but an icon to hard rock and heavy metal. An ‘Iron Horse’ he rode, while waving his ‘Iron Fist’ at the world in a defiant way yet with a grin on his face. He claimed he was ‘born to lose’ but he ‘lived to win.’ He’s my guy. My main influence. I leave it to you to determine whom I’m referring to!” We think we’ve just about worked out which legend he’s referring to.

And on what influences them to write music, Mada added: “I leave it up to the listener what they hear and ‘whom’ they think they are ‘reminded’ of when listening to Loaded Deck. I do not write from ‘the first person’ type of experience. I prefer to story tell based on minor facts and heavy on the fiction. It’s a mix of satire, innuendos, hidden meaning, it’s up to the listener to decipher. I like to add a couple of dystopian ‘fairytales’ to the mix. Hard music always needs an element of that.”

2025 should be a busy year for Loaded Deck, who are prioritising a couple of promo videos, including a “lyrical concept” and a vinyl record release, with new material on the way. Mada tells us he’s been approached by “a couple of ‘name’ rock music producers” and musical contributors, while he’s also working on fleshing out the project into a complete band.

And he adds: “If I start anything beyond a commotion then I’ll be good with that. Anything that happens to turn into a major upheaval, then I’ll be rocked as well as you (in a good way). I have no expectations other than I know you will dig it if the era of my music is in your memories or style of choice.

“I stand by my music. 100%. It may not be for all, but it never was intended to be. It’s a representation of what my hands can play and my not-so-serious mindset. ‘Llighten up people, why so serious all the time!’ Thumbs up or down, it’s all good! You be the judge.”

You can follow Loaded Deck on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music.