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![]() 16.01.2019 STRIKERPlay to WinAnmeldt av Eddie Rattlehead
(Record Breaking Records, 2018)Karakter: 4/6
![]() I don't know about Striker being at their best but the album is definitely above its predecessor. However, while traces of thrashy past can be found, their traditional/power metal attack is now augmented by hard rock/hair metal leanings. In fact, Striker themselves are rightfully calling their music "a classic mix of heavy metal, hard rock, and 80’s hair metal" on their website. All performances are indubitably fantastic: Daniel's vocals are impeccable, with deep highs that could make Bon Jovi fearfully look into his future for competition, Wallace/Black section lockstep with audible, tasty bass licks often independent of the excellent to fantastic dual Segger/Brown guitarwork, everything topped off with excellent powerful production recalling Def Leppard's classic "Pyromania" or "Hysteria" albums. Striker has an excellent ear for catchy melodies (Position Of Power) and riffs, with most of the songs at the same level, but there are a few notable standouts such as the hair metal anthem "Head First" or slightly Anthrax-ian take on latter Iron Maiden in "On The Run", but the infectious ballad "Heavy Is The Heart" is a definite favorite with a chorus bound to get stuck in your head all day. Lyrically, too, they convey thoughtful messages such as when they ask "how can anyone know the real you, even your closest friends will never know/they'll only see the front you show" (The Front). While the material is fairly even with a few standouts it does have a few undercooked tracks. The title track borrows from Living Colour's "Cult Of Personality" with Cleary even channeling Corey Glover, the Mercyful Fate/Pantera-ic "Summoner" has great riffs but goes nowhere and the closing "Hands Of Time" replaces electric guitar for keyboard with just an occasional power chord accent, which recalls Metallica's "Waste My Hate" for atrocity, trying to be a ballad but failing even as a song. Striker does not blow away with "Play To Win" and they don't even try to, despite the title. Instead, they are trying to experiment within a limited genre, succeeding mostly, while failing some. The weaker tracks do not take away too much from the enjoyment of this album, but the second half of the album is decidedly less impressive than the first and the split difference gives the 4/6 score. http://www.striker-metal.com Andre omtaler:17.02.2019: BLOOD RED THRONE - Come Death 16.02.2019: BLAZE BAILEY - Live in France 15.02.2019: MASS INFECTION - Shadows Became Flesh 14.02.2019: FLOTSAM AND JETSAM - The End of Chaos 14.02.2019: HORIZONS EDGE - Let the Show Go On 13.02.2019: HELEVORN - Aamamata 12.02.2019: PORN - The Darkest of Human Desires Act II 11.02.2019: NEXUS OMEGA - Password: Infinity 10.02.2019: BREIDABLIK - Nhoohr 09.02.2019: MORTAL SCEPTER - Where Light Suffocates 07.02.2019: M.I.GOD - Specters on Parade 06.02.2019: RIVAL SONS - Feral Roots 05.02.2019: VEDERKAST - And In the Abyss They Sleep 04.02.2019: WARKUNT - Of Ruins And Agony 03.02.2019: IN PURULENCE - Putrid Valley 02.02.2019: EVERGREY - The Atlantic 01.02.2019: GARY PARKER - Original Jethro Tull - The Glory Years, 1968 - 1980 31.01.2019: NEONDERTHAL DEATH - Neonderthal (Nightmare Begins) 30.01.2019: EMERALD SABBATH - Ninth Star (A Tribute to Black Sabbath) 29.01.2019: LAHMIA - Resilience |
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