Canadian band Striker return with their third full length effort, they have a party in mind too. As quoted by the singer Dan Cleary “If you’re having a party at your house, then put our CD into the player and drink some beer. This music is made exactly for such moments”. True to form, from the opener ‘Underground’, Striker mix classic heavy/power and speed metal and provide an uplifting show of metal magic. Some of the vocal power screams are a little OTT, but then the music itself is enough to carry you forth to the next track, and the next and then to the repeat button.
‘City of Gold’ has a rousing chorus; it actually reminds you of some of the 80’s metal from the US, like Vicious Rumors and Leatherwolf’s most recent material with the latter part of the release going more into the speed metal spectrum. Those 80’s influences continue with ‘Bad Decisions’ that has emotive vocals and lighter guitar moments that kick in with a big fist pump and homage to proper vocal melodies, it’s pretty cool material folks, well it is to me. Bands that can write melodies, hold your attention and make you sing along with the first listen have all the requirements I need, well there or there about, and real metal albums come with real artwork. In this case, the cover was penned by Eliran Kantor (who has also worked with Sodom, Testament and Iced Earth).
Consistency is high with this release, there is not one filler track throughout the record. Striker go on tour soon with Bullet and Stallion (no UK dates unfortunately this time), so that should be a good platform to display their classic metal material. But this is certainly a release that will please most; it’s a slab of metal that’s a real thoroughbred.
(8.5/10 Paul Maddison)
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