Football may be a game of two halves, and this album from a traditional metal band from Kidderminster in the Midlands is no different. The first half starts out promising, but I feel let down by the vocal delivery, its melody and phrasing, but more so with the many busy guitar moments that cause instability. But then halfway through ‘Where You Started From’ things pick up dramatically, especially after the ballad is long gone. Now you have melody, now you have memorable tunes that breathe and give a fist raising experience.
Filled with epic glory, the sound of ‘Head of Steam’ still has a nasal vocal delivery, but the vintage guitar sound really makes me think of some Heavy Load tunes, it just has that feel. Whilst I won’t say it is the same as those classic Swedes, it’s just a feeling. So after you think I am going mad, the album title track really sets in motion a style that will please all traditional metal fans, you have your Priest and Maiden-isms with a strong twin guitar attack, you have powerful bass and drums and the two final cuts ‘Relentlessly’ and ‘Justified’ are perfect descriptions of the album.
Having gained experience in bands like Scarab and Preacher, this is a nice blend of all things British. One the album settles in and the busy nature of infantile tracks is washed away, you have a cool effort. The production could be a little better in this day and age, but each studio has its own sound, this suits the band, but it is begging for a little more oomph if I am honest. Technically, you cannot fault these gents, touring will hopefully gain them more appreciation as it usually does, but for now, sit down and listen to some classic metal, they do mean business, but I am left thinking I want more, and they are really capable of more I am sure.
(6.5/10 Paul Maddison)
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