This band from Cyprus have apparently been around since 2011 according to the PR blurb but 2017 according to Metal archives but this is indeed their debut. The PR promises epic, NWOBHM with folk and when the jaunty guitar run of ‘Unite’ dances out of the gates that is indeed the sound. The twin guitar Maidenesque sound and the nice expressive vocals with a charming earnest feel to them. In fact more than a little like UK’s undersold, overachieving heroes Dark Forest. It’s a cool little song; full of energy and enthusiasm carrying a melody with ease and some very nice guitar work ably backed by the rhythm section. Relying more on dexterity than weight its genuinely a nice opening.

Now one thing I will mention here is that there’s something a little curious about the production. The instruments are fine and lively, but the way the vocals are mixed seems a little basic – I mean there’s absolutely no problem with the vocals themselves; clean, on point and with a good range and expression as mentioned but they seem a little out of the music.

Anyway, ‘Starchaser’ comes up next. By now we are knee deep in myth and fantasy and you can almost see the singer on stage, gesturing to the crowd, describing the world with both voice and hands. Yes, its nicely visual music this as far as that goes. Very nice indeed. And you honestly can feel the enthusiasm and commitment radiating from every note. ‘Trespasser’ slows things just a touch, the vocals finding an even greater range and a little vibrato. The NWOBHM sound is strong here; the scampering bass lines, the neat little guitar themes here and there reaching heavily into early Maiden and Samson to good effect. ‘Falling To Dust’ has a delicate opening, picked notes and mournful atmosphere before it kicks up a gear into an epic sounding tune.

We then have a little interlude, a short instrumental ‘Wilderness’ which is actually rather sublime and very well placed in the album (it’s actually from the old Golden Axe video game! But I was obsessed with that at the time so all good). It kind of reminds me a little of Ashbury, some of the lighter US metal bands with a kind of Wishbone Ash influence to the Maiden beat.

Here’s the downside though. By the time I’m at ‘Raiders Of The Night’ the template is pretty plain. We get those Maiden-lite breaks, the earnest (again) vocals, the neat melody lines but… It’s strange. I realise that I have felt no hooks at all. Not one. As lovely and heartfelt and thoughtful as the music is I have not had a world created beyond the visions of what the band might look like on stage. The folk lilt to their melodies is fine but nothing carries me away. There are no songs that sway me, no anthems to have my fist punching the air.

But equally there is literally nothing here I dislike. Well apart for sailing waaaaay too close to the dreaded ‘pirate metal’ seas on the album low point ‘Arrow’ which I do honestly dislike intensely. Receiver have so much to recommend; hearts on their sleeves passion, an intrinsic understanding of the music they love and a fine level of musicianship and focus as a band. Their sound is great too; they are not concerned about crushing riffs, they want that NWOBHM touch lightened further by the folk element. They are plainly on the right track.

But for me after decades of listening to metal, this genre genuinely needs those intense hooks and those anthems. Hell, even a decent power ballad. There is only that one song that isn’t nice. But that’s it. The songs here don’t entirely do the band justice for me.

It’s a nice listen but I want so much more from a band that clearly has everything going for them. I just hope that next time round they tighten the song-writing and give me something to get my teeth into.

Definitely keep an eye on them.

(6/10 Gizmo)

https://www.facebook.com/ReceiverCY

https://receiverofficial.bandcamp.com/album/whispers-of-lore