(((O))) Review: Kari Wahlgren presents: SlaughtHER Vol. 2

Kari Wahlgren has made a name for herself in the world of voice acting, with memorable roles ranging from Rip Van Winkle in Hellsing Ultimate, Haruko in FLCL (Fooly Cooly), Harley Quinn in the 2022 video game Gotham Knights, Kagami Hiiragi in Lucky Star, and Barbara Johnson in the multiplayer mode of BioShock 2. However, she is also known for paying tribute to the ’80s hard rock band Slaughter.

Back in 2021, she created this one-woman, part-rock concert tribute to the hair metal scene, telling the story of how Slaughter changed her life after she first discovered the band in 2016. That experience inspired her to reimagine the songs fans know and love, resulting in a project with a unique structure that fires on all cylinders.

This second volume is an all-female tribute that has become an important part of Kari’s journey. Featuring performances by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Erika Ishii, Kayla Dixon, Emily Benford, and many others, each artist brings heart and soul to these songs while exploring a variety of musical styles. Whether the reinterpretations resonate with every listener or not, Kari deserves tremendous credit for honouring the hair metal scene and proving that it was never just about the glitz and glamour, it was always about the songwriting.

The blistering energy behind ‘Revolution’, featuring Kayla Dixon, revs like a motorcycle engine, driven by crushing guitars and thunderous drums. It captures the spirit of Judas Priest, Living Colour, and the fiery edge of Led Zeppelin’s second album, igniting with relentless intensity. Opening track ‘Burning Bridges’ delivers a raunchy, explosive punch as Kari channels not only the vocal style of Mark Slaughter but also the gritty power of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson.

Casandra Carson also deserves immense credit for laying down fierce guitar work that never backs down from a fight. There’s a little bit of Angus Young, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing, and Paul Stanley rolled into her performance, as though the legends themselves were watching in admiration. She stays true to the genre’s metallic roots while helping keep its spirit alive.

Then there’s the country-tinged, campfire atmosphere of ‘Streets of Broken Hearts,’ where Kari is joined by members of the cast of Hamilton, Erin Clemons, Jennie Harney-Fleming, and Joanna Jones. Their harmonies elevate this power ballad into an emotional experience that practically calls for a box of tissues. No, this isn’t Asia’s ‘Heat of the Moment’, but rather Slaughter’s own song reimagined in a completely different style.

Kari also ventures into an ’80s-inspired new wave and electronic direction with ‘Heat of the Moment,’ transforming it into something darker and more atmospheric than expected. The bold stylistic shift is one of the album’s biggest surprises. She then returns to a country-folk setting with ‘Headin’ for a Dream’, where Garrison Starr takes over on vocals.

Garrison brings an Americana charm to the song, painting the picture of watching the sun set over a farmhouse while looking ahead to a brand-new tomorrow. Meanwhile, ‘You’re My Everything’ embraces a vaudeville-inspired horn section before giving way to Emily Benford’s delightful ’50s doo-wop performance on ‘Gave Me Your Heart’, creating one of the album’s most playful stylistic departures.

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and Sara Cravens attack ‘Get Used to It’ with swagger and attitude. Their chemistry is undeniable as they transform the song into a defiant anthem about refusing to be pushed around. The driving rhythm feels like a highway soundtrack, with the duo embracing a Thelma & Louise-style spirit of rebellion as they speed toward their own blaze of glory.

Eden Espinosa, known for voicing Cassandra in Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure and for portraying Elphaba in Wicked, takes ‘Real Love’ in a sweeping symphonic direction. Surrounded by lush strings, her powerful vocals soar heavenward, giving the song an emotional weight that transforms it into a breathtaking power ballad.

Closing the album is the heartfelt ‘Days Gone By’, where gentle piano and Celtic-inspired strings create a peaceful farewell across grassy meadows. It serves as a reflective conclusion, encouraging listeners to look ahead instead of dwelling on the past.

Overall, this is a heartfelt and imaginative tribute that Kari Wahlgren has brought to the table in honor of Slaughter’s music. While some listeners may have mixed feelings about hearing these songs reinvented in such dramatically different styles, there’s no denying the passion, creativity, and respect that Kari and her collaborators pour into every performance. Rather than simply recreating the originals, they celebrate the songwriting by giving each track a fresh identity while remaining faithful to the band’s legacy.

I’m not an expert on Slaughter’s catalog, but I came away genuinely impressed. Kari Wahlgren and this talented group of performers demonstrate that these songs have the strength to transcend genres while preserving their emotional core. It’s an ambitious project that pays sincere respect to one of hard rock’s enduring bands, and it proves there’s still plenty of life left in these classics.