Aska are a US metal legend by all accounts and although I have heard lots about the band over the years, this is actually the first time I have listened to their material. This is the first new album in some six years, vocalist and guitarist George Call has been in the business for best part of a quarter of a century, being an ex-Omen member, there is plenty of authenticity. In fact I really like Call’s vocal range, you just have to listen to the clear and precise screams during ‘Eye of the Serpent’ to realise this and the music backs up this style perfectly. ‘Dead Again’ is a melody driven slab of US metal, sometimes like Rob Rock’s Driver and features all the traits that you would expect right down to some deft precision guitar work and wailing guitar solos. ‘Son of God’ and ‘Everyone Dies’ also fulfils your high octane momentum needs and there is even a cover of Judas Priest’s ‘The Ripper’ to bolster Aksa’s arsenal, if their own material wasn’t enough.
The ballad ‘Angela’ does somewhat kill the flow of the album for me, I like the track, but I was riding the wave of energetic metal material, it was a big comedown to hear this track. But with over 50 minutes of material on offer, this is more than enough to please any genuine metal fan. Due to this record, I am now investing in the bands back catalogue as I am certainly a keen follower of their work. I still cannot believe it’s taken till now to listen to them!
Overall, traditional US metal is always delivered with a class and melody associated with past benchmarks. ‘Fire Eater’ rocks hard and delivers emotive lyrics that really make you a part of the song; by that I mean you really get what the band is saying. The song structures are strong and musicianship is high. This is a good album.
(7.5/10 Paul Maddison)
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