Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Album Review: Angel Sword - Neon City

Angel Sword
Neon City
*** out of *****

From the first glimpse of the album art on Angel Sword's newest release Neon City it would be a pretty safe guess that you are in for some classic metal in the vein of Iron Maiden, Saxon and other new wave British heavy metal acts.

The title track itself feels lifted directly from the early 80's low budget, dystopian future sci-fi soundtrack as a hero with wind blowing through his mullet, rides a motorcycle to perhaps showdown with the creature on the cover, but I digress.  The band Jerry Razors - Vocals, Guitars Lightning Mike - Guitars, backing vocals Eviltaker - Bass St. Peter - Drums, backing vocals deliver their retro rocking with clear devotion.

Razors vocals go gritty instead of soaring melodically adding some toughness to the proceedings on tracks like "Evil Eye" and "Back on the Streets". Disk opener "Starlight Shadow" gives all the prerequisite metal leanings with dueling guitars and heavy drums along with a rumbling bass while "Electric Man" and "Tower of Light" both ramp up the drama, with some theatrical rock and riffs.

The tempo gets revved up behind crunchy riffs, bass breaks and moving low end for "Night Rider" while album closer "Hardliner" begins with harmonies and then gets to a tight guitar work and head banging in "the danger zone".

Where so many bands growl, distort, and play at supersonic speeds, Angel Sword go the other direction. The Helsinki based outfit deliver the goods for people who are yearning for a throwback to the early 80's metal style on Neon City.   
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