Black Trip were somewhat an underground find prior to their last full length studio release (‘Goin’ Under’), ‘Shadowline’ quoting the press release takes the band forward with a more personal but firmly rooted dark heavy metal rock. The immediate comparison is Thin Lizzy with ‘Danger’ and the harmonized guitar sound, however, that’s not all. There be a few people craving classic Maiden and NWOBHM in general which rears its metallic fist for ‘Clockworks’ after the Lizzy intro. Many bands are emulating this style now, but Black Trip still have a sense of unique style to their sound that has a warm feeling as you listen.
Every tune is catchy, groovy, rockin’ and flows with a genuine level of ease. The script maybe influenced from a few sources but the end product is definitely their own. I did expect a few more NWOBHM influences, whist first listening, you may not figure them all out, but they are there, an undercurrent of heritage through and through. ‘Berlin Model 32’ is my standout tune, very Saxon-like but also a touch Tygers of Pan Tang too, bouncy, happy, and quite classy without the sass. Melodic enough to sing along to, hard enough to rock out to, a great combination really with some wicked solo runs peppered here and there. The songs were not exactly planned, based around more of a feeling, it sounds like it too, its simplistic and mood enhancing with the right amount of balance in the studio mix. ‘Scenarios’ has a touch of the Scorpions and a few of the other influences I have already mentioned. Overall, there’s a touch less evil in the sound, there’s more melody, more guitar rock like the guitar rock gods of old, listen to the two solos for the aforementioned ‘Scenarios’, tell me that does strike a chord? Even if it doesn’t, this does for me.
All in all, their last release laid the foundation, ‘Shadowline’ shatters this and makes for a damn fine release that does more than pay homage to the greats, its takes you to the same time period and lets you be a part of the action along with the band as they are playing. It may not be a step beyond their last one, but it’s a path that I am willing to follow as it has a sense of naturalism about it. ‘Shadowline’ is classic hard rock and metal done with a modern fresh approach (captured and mixed by Nike Andersson of Entombed, Hellacopters fame…), this should win the band more of a following and hopefully we’ll see some live shows in the none-too distant future, who knows…
(8/10 Paul Maddison)
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