Strikelight - Strikelight
Eat Metal Records - EMR003 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
If there's any one element that can make someone dread putting on an album even before they know anything about the artist, then that element is surely that most reviled form of album presentation in the heavy metal genre - the diabolically bad cover artwork.
Strikelight's debut album is at an automatic disadvantage, since it is wrapped in possibly the most appaling cover art I've seen in a long, long time. Look at the cover image that accompanies this review - I mean, that poor sod's arms must be snapped in several places for him to pose like that!
Anyway, the music... The Greek quartet obviously have something of a passion for the NWOBHM, something which is evident from the instrumental intro track 'Born By Fire', which recalls
Killers-era
Maiden with it's melodic leads, galloping rhythms and prominent, near-percussive bass guitar tone. Vocalist George Stavropoulos first makes his presence felt on 'Fake Beliefs', and while he hasn't got nearly the range of a Dickinson or Halford, and he initially comes across as somewhat hesitant and underconfident, as the album progresses his voice seems to fit more naturally with the songs. Other influences become apparent too - there's a commercial rock bent to tracks like obligatory ballad 'Undying Love' that recall
U.F.O., while there's a touch of early melodic thrash about 'Forever Young'.
The guitarwork is pretty impressive throughout - there's the odd touch of sloppy timing here and there, but generally the dual guitar harmonies raise a knowing smile in anyone who owns an
Iron Maiden album, and while the production isn't the most powerful, it's pretty clear, allowing the melodies to shine. Some of Stavropoulos's attempts at vocal harmonies are a bit misguided, however, and there's a somewhat derivative feel about the album that suggests that any individual ideas the band might have are being somewhat repressed by their affection for the NWOBHM. So, it's a nice enough listen if you've lent out your early
Maiden,
Samson,
U.F.O., etc. records, but doesn't really stand up when taken on it's own merits.
6/10
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