Serious Black are back once again and for those who have read my previous coverage of their releases, you know that I consider this band a formidable force in the European metal scene. They have the history and pedigree of being in some of the biggest bands in the ‘Euro-Metal’/Power Metal scene but they truly have their own unique sound and this has resulted in some great spots and some mediocre moments across their previous releases. With the band now consisting of a core-4 piece, fronted by new vocalist Nikola Mijić (Alogia, Expedition Delta, Eden’s Curse) and rounded off by a long-time collaborator Bob Katsionis providing the session synth and keyboards, it’s time to see if the band can take vengeance on the disappointing ‘Suite 226’ and reach the heights of ‘Mirrorworld’, the release many perceive as the best musical content Serious Black produced.
From the start, you can feel a different kind of energy on this release. It seems to lean heavily towards influences from the NWOBHM and mid-late 80’s metal sound. Vibes of Judas Priest and Kingdom Come are sprinkled between the expected Helloween and Blind Guardian styled sounds and this more energetic and hard-hitting approach pays off. Mijić’s vocals have a rougher edge to them compared to the more melodic and theatrical edge of former vocalist Urban Breed and this grittier edge, whilst still retaining some power and melodic qualities combines well with the faster paced riffing to give the music a more vibrant edge. Case in point, the opening track “Rock With Us Tonight” is a call-back to the 80’s with its surging pace and big anthemic chorus and it certainly sets the stage for the rest of the release. It blends the steady rhythmic prowess demanded of Power Metal leaning music with the infectious hooks of classic metal and layers it with plenty of attitude in the vocal delivery.
“Out Of the Ashes” shows how much a role the synths play in helping the tracks get a massive sound/feel, subtly augmenting the guitar and bass progressions with soaring sustained notes to tricky melodic fills depending on the type of riff beneath them and this pattern surfaces across all the tracks in one form or another. “Fallen Hero” and “Senso Della Vita” bear some similarities to the likes of Sonata Arctica’s older material, packing in the intricate guitar lines and synth melodies to compliment the vocal dynamics, whilst “Ray Of Light” and “The Story” show that the Power Metal Ballad is still in Serious Black’s plans despite them seeming to have adopted a heavier and faster approach. Mijić’s vocals can handle the soft and expressive cleans and the grittier aspects of his style suit the big explosive sections when the tracks have their big chorus and upswing moments.
With these tracks, you get a good feel for what this version of Serious Black is capable of, but their main strength it seems lies within the approach which leans heavily on the 80’s metal edge. “Soul Divider”, “Tonight I’m Ready To Fight” and “Soldiers Of Eternal Light” are all heavy metal supercharged stormers which are loaded with enough piercing riffs which drag you along in their wake, leaving you at the mercy of the surging metal chugging currents the tight rhythm section powers out. Soaring synths, flashy shredding leads and layers of vocals giving a massive feel, all of these help show that Serious Black are back in force and seem to have recaptured that spark which made them stand out on earlier releases.
There are some downsides; the overly familiar feel of the tracks in places, which, to most will make them seem like it is just ‘Metal By Numbers’. The simple compositions and arrangements to some will make it seem like there is a lack of creativity and the fact that even with the NWOBHM and Heavy Metal influences, it is still very much Power Metal, a genre many people cannot take to. With that being said, I think that it is fair to say that Serious Black have managed to find the spark which coursed through their first releases and made them stand out.
“Vengeance Is Mine” is a display of what a re-energised band can come up with. Sometimes it takes an injection of new blood to revitalise a band who are seemingly descending into just ambling along with how their music sounds. A more commanding vocal presence helps draw more attention to the arrangements, which in turn help get you swept up in the powerful metal currents underneath it all. Serious Black have found their fire once again and “Vengeance Is Mine” is loaded with tracks which will surely raise the roof in a live setting.
(8/10 Fraggle)
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