ALBUM REVIEW: Blaze Bayley, "Circle of Stone"

 By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 23^rd February 2024
Label: Blaze Bayley Recordings
 

“Circle of Stone” CD//DD//LP track listing:
 
1. Mind Reader
2. Tears in Rain
3. Rage
4. The Year Beyond This Year
5. Ghost in the Bottle
6. Broken Man
7. The Call of the Ancestors
8. Circle of Stone
9. Absence
10. A Day of Reckoning
11. The Path of the Righteous Man
12. Until We Meet Again
 
The Review:

Blaze returns with another fiery and anthemic album of heavy metal. Blaze has been on a roll for the best part of a decade now. Since harnessing the considerable talents of British metal heroes Absolva- now further bolstered by Luke Appleton joining the team to work alongside his brother- Blaze has been on a musical winning streak. He managed three albums in three years with the “Infinite Entanglement” Trilogy, followed that up with a superb collection of songs in “War Within Me”, plus a couple of live albums and DVDs.
 
Blaze and band are exceptionally hard working- the pandemic was a cruel period as it left them kicking their heels while they couldn’t tour. Significantly, Blaze suffered a near fatal heart attack in 2023, so the fact he is still at all here is a blessing. The fact that the quality of his records is still very high is a real gift to the fans. After coming close to death, Blaze could be forgiven for dialling things down, going acoustic, reducing touring or even just retiring.
 
However, a short run of UK dates last year were a triumph- the voice, the energy and the life force were still there. That life force runs right the way through this record. “Circle of Stone” is a life affirming winner, that’s for sure.
 
Things start confidently with “Mind Reader”, “Tears of Rain” references Blade Runner and is even better. “Rage” is a darker proposition and finds Blaze delivering a superb vocal performance. It delivers a Welsh folk tale, via heavy metal. Excellent. As usual with Blaze’s recent records, the pacing and sequencing is great; each track is different from the last and has its own personality- but it doesn’t sound disjointed.
 
On the contrary, Chris Appleton has done a good production and mix job here, allowing the album a distinct sound and character. Sonically, it sounds much better to my ears than “War Within Me”. I’m unclear as to whether a pro studio was used or if this was a home production, but it doesn’t matter as it sounds great. The drum sound is significantly improved and the instruments are nicely blended with Blaze’s voice front and centre.
 
According to the man himself, the first six songs here represent tales of resilience, fighting against the odds and so forth. It’s prime Blaze stuff and expertly delivered. As the band blast through “The Year Beyond This Year” and “Ghost in the Bottle” the record flies high. It comes back to earth with “The Broken Man”, which is more introspective and a slow burning emotive listen. Any listener might think this was written in the wake of Blaze’s health problems, but in fact this entire album was recorded before his dance with death.
 
The latter six tracks here represent six connected tracks that tell a story of connection to the past and redemption. “The Call of the Ancestors” kicks side two off in grandiose (mostly) instrumental style; bagpipes, guitar, ethereal vocals…. It sets the scene for the mighty title track. It’s majestic, it recalls “The Clansman” and is a killer. “Absence” is a straight up rocker, with killer riffage and guitar work in general.
 
From there, it’s three tracks remaining. Numerous moods and approaches are covered; the melancholy and murderous tale told in “A Day Of Reckoning” gives way to hopefulness, while “The Path of the Righteous” engages the turbo charger for a convincing metal romp. “Until We Meet Again” caps the album off with acoustic atmospherics and a haunting guest vocal from Tammy Rae-Bois, who duets stirringly with Blaze. It’s a folk-y and hopeful conclusion to an album with hidden depths and themes.
 
To summarise, “Circle of Stone” continues the high-quality music that Blaze has been putting out since 2016 and offers some different aspects to his writing and sound. It’s a triumph, it’s a tour de force and I’m so glad he is still here.
 
“Circle of Stone” is available HERE

Band info: official || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Blaze Bayley, "Live in Czech"

By: Richard Maw & Nathan Harrison

Album Type: Live Album

Date Released: 03/04/2020

Label: Blaze Bayley Recordings

“Live in Czech” CD//DD track listing:

1. The Dark Side Of Black
2. A Thousand Years
3. Dark Energy 256
4. The World Is Turning The Wrong Way

5. Human
6. Together We Can Move The Sun
7. Solar Wind
8. Virus
9. Life Goes On
10. Fight Back
11. Silicon Messiah
12. The Day I Fell To Earth
13. Eagle Spirit
14. Calling You Home
15. Stare At The Sun
16. Man On The Edge
17. Futureal
18. The Clansman

The Review:

Blaze's live offering captures him and his band, comprising members of Brit metal aces Absolva, at the end of a 59 date (!) tour at the Melodka venue in Brno, Czech Republic at the tail end of September 2019. Having seen Blaze around a month earlier at The Underworld in London, I knew what to expect from a live document of the show.

To fully explore the Blaze live experience, Nathan Harrison, a Blaze Bayley fanatic, of British doomers The Human Condition and Maiden tribute band Maiden's Shadow has been asked to weigh in on this weighty release.

The release takes in a monster eighteen tracks and spans a good portion of Blaze's career.

RM: The overall sound is as live as it gets (to borrow a phrase!). It's raw and most definitely not overdubbed or tweaked in the studio. Similar to the “Live in France” release a while back, this represents exactly what the band and Blaze sound like at a live gig- tight, fast and furious.

NH: As with any Blaze Bayley release (and as should be expected) the man himself is the main focus here. Anybody who dismissed Blaze’s singing ability during the Maiden days should give his recent solo releases a go as his voice and range have improved beyond measure – the man is ostensibly a walking diaphragm, such is his building-toppling vocal power. The band behind him certainly sounds tight as always but they don’t quite pack the same punch they do when playing right in front of you. A slightly beefier sound would have benefitted this release – Chris Appleton’s guitar sound is quite trebly but the other instruments aren’t given quite enough bass to compensate. That said, there are moments where the overall sound simply soars – the more epic tracks were the focus of this tour and it shows. “The World is Turning the Wrong Way”, “Together We Can Move the Sun” and “Eagle Spirit”, the stunning closer to the latest studio release, are particular highlights.

RM: In terms of song selection, Blaze has a lot to choose from: Wolfsbane, two albums with Iron Maiden and all of his solo full band records - now close to double figures. Perhaps unsurprisingly, “Live in Czech” focuses on a selection of tracks from the “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy- with a bent towards the more epic feeling songs from those three albums. There is a fair smattering of Maiden classics here as well- “Virus “(appropriate for these times, sadly) rears its head as do more obvious choices such as “Futureal” and “Man on the Edge”. There is also the title track and “Stare at the Sun” from the “Silicon Messiah” album. The set hangs together well and Blaze sings all songs with total conviction. I personally would like to have heard a track or two from the superb “The Man Who Would Not Die” record, but I am splitting hairs. The fact that there is only one guitarist is of course noticeable on the Maiden material, but so what? Chris Appleton is a phenomenal player and his virtuosity and energy shine through on every track.

NH: As the “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy was the focus of this tour, this leaves little room for anything unusual or surprising in the rest of the setlist – not that there’s anything wrong with the other songs showcased here! The vastly underrated Blaze era of Iron Maiden is represented brilliantly by the tracks chosen here and Blaze picks some of his most popular earlier solo songs to round out the set. The problem is that Blaze’s solo catalogue is so solid that there’s always going to be something missing! Songs from the aforementioned “The Man Who Would Not Die” and its incredible follow up, “Promise and Terror” have been largely absent from Blaze Bayley shows in the last few years so a return for some of these would have been welcome. The songs that are here, though, are some the best – “Stare at the Sun” particularly will always be an incredible song, especially when played live with such gusto by all concerned.

RM: As anyone who has been to a Blaze live show knows, Blaze talks to his audience. A lot. He delivers his song intros in a slow and stilted style- making sure that members of the audience who do not speak English as a first language (i.e. probably almost everyone) understands what he is saying. In a live setting it's an endearing trait. On a live album, it can be a little distracting as it makes for some lengthy intros and breaks between songs. This is, however, offset by the fact that this is a live record- representative of the show, not a live “greatest hits” contract filler. To be fair, the introduction to “Silicon Messiah” is genuinely interesting as it tells the tale of how the band in its current form came to be.

NH: For a lot of his time as a solo artist, Blaze’s general approach to audience interaction has remained unchanged. While it can occasionally be a bit repetitive, his sheer love and gratitude for his fans is undeniably real and he makes it clear just how much he relies on them when he now self-releases everything he puts out. Blaze is also a man who has been through some very tough times - personally and professionally – but has come out of the other side. This determination is reflected in the encouragement and advice he often gives to his audience and the sentiment he puts into many of his lyrics. During these rather trying, scary and altogether depressing and difficult times for many, we could probably all benefit from being a bit more Blaze Bayley about it all!

RM: I think this edges out “Live in France”- the more epic material goes over really well live and as this was recorded long after the “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy had been completed the set feels really cohesive. The sound is also a notch above “Live in France”- a little clearer, a little more punchy to my ears.

NH: Given its very specific focus, this is a strange album to compare to previous Blaze live releases with a broader approach. Sound wise, it certainly edges out “Live in France” but doesn’t quite have the power of earlier releases “As Live As It Gets” and “The Night That Would Not Die”. Blaze’s performance, however, has only got better since these releases and, three studio and two live releases in, the chemistry between him and Absolva as his backing band is tangible.

In conclusion, this is a real live album for fans who witnessed the tour, fans who have the albums but couldn't make the shows or anyone interested in hearing what a real professional metal band sounds like. Blaze Bayley is an international treasure of the metal scene and one who deserves your support. He's out there; year after year, album after album, tour after tour- relentlessly taking real heavy metal to the masses. He's a totally independent artist these days, as he states at the start of “The Clansman”, and his passion and commitment to the faith is unwavering. When the current dystopian world health crisis is concluded, it's guaranteed that Blaze will be coming to a venue near you and bringing his best. This live record is definitive proof that you should go and see him and his band play- after all, as recent events have proven, you never know when that option might be taken away.

“Live in Czech” is available HERE

Band info: official || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Absolva, "Side By Side"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/04/2020

Label: Rocksector Records

“Side By Side” CD//DD track listing:

1. Advocate Your Fate
2. Burning Star
3. The Sky's Your Limit
4. Side By Side
5. Living A Lie
6. Legion
7. Eternal Soul
8. End Of Days
9. Heart Let's Go
10. From This World
11. 2 Minutes To Midnight (BONUS TRACK)
12. Heaven & Hell (BONUS TRACK)

The Review:

Absolva are a British metal band that combine a good dose of melody with the finest steel. They are a modern day heavy metal band- think Priest, Accept, Maiden, Saxon.... and then bring it up to 2020 via bands like Alter Bridge. If 2017's “Defiance” was a weighty affair, then “Side By Side” is a little slicker. Opener “Advocate Your Fate” is anthemic and driving in equal measure, “Burning Star” pulls the same trick at a faster tempo.

Similarly, the title track is a catchy melodic beast with some power to it as well. The likes of “Living a Lie” and “Legion” offer up a little more metal and a little less hard rock. The performances are excellent throughout, with Karl Schram and Martin McNee forming a lock tight rhythm section for Chris Appleton to weave some magical and soaring guitar work over, ably assisted by Iced Earth member and brother Luke Appleton.

The Maiden influence comes in strong on “Eternal Soul” with some incendiary instrumental sections. You can clearly see that Absolva wear their influences on their sleeve (after all, three of them are Blaze Bayley's backing band) but are also forging forward with a hybrid of hard rock and heavy metal. “End of Days” is a very strong and catchy track down the back stretch with a  triplet time feel making it stand out.

“Heart Lets Go” is a serviceable album track, but not up to the strength of “From This World” which closes out the album. With ethereal acoustic work and a well delivered vocal, it's a very strong way to finish the record. As a bonus, the band have also covered “Two Minutes to Midnight” and “Heaven and Hell”. It's a bold move, being as both songs are absolute classics of the genre. The Maiden cover is the pick of the two, as “Heaven and Hell” has the tempo picked up just a tad which alters the dynamic of the track a little. That said, that's two strong bonus tracks for the fans so no complaints.

Where “Side By Side” will sit in Absolva's canon, I am not yet sure. It's certainly better than “Flames of Justice” and “Never A Good Day To Die” and I think stronger- but less heavy- than “Anthems To The Dead”. It's perhaps more finely crafted than “Defiance”, but with less adrenaline fuelled material. Time will tell where it sits, but one thing's for sure this is a release of the finest quality with a bright and live sounding production being the icing on an impressive cake. It's great to hear a young British metal band that can compete with the old guard and the Americans. A strong album. 

“Side by Side” is available HERE

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Blaze Bayley, “Live in France”

By: Richard Maw

 

Album Type: Live Album / DVD
Date Released: 01/03/2019
Label: Blaze Bayley Recordings

 

“…twenty storming performances of twenty storming songs by a band and vocalist who deserve every success”

 

“Live in France” CD//DD//DVD track listing:

 

Disc One

 

1. Redeemer

2. Are You Here

3. Futureal

4. The First True Sign

5. Silicon Messiah

6. Dawn of the Dead Son

7. Escape Velocity

8. Fight Back

9. Prayers Of Light

10. Virus

Disc Two

 

1. Independence
2. Immortal One
3. Human
4. Calling You Home
5. Endure And Survive
6. The Angel And The Gambler
7. Man on the Edge
8. A Thousand Years
9. Infinite Entanglement
10. Dark Energy 256


The Review:


Blaze Bayley puts an emphatic exclamation mark on his superb “Infinite Entanglement” album trilogy with this double live album- also available as a DVD and various combinations of one or both formats available.. The twenty tracks here consist of many of the best of the songs from the IE concept albums, as well as a liberal smattering of Maiden classics and the title track from his own “Silicon Messiah” album.


Anyone who witnessed him on the 2018 tour for “The Redemption of William Black” will know what to expect from the set list. The recording itself finds Blaze and the boys at the peak of their powers. “Redeemer” opens atmospherically to a charged crowd atmosphere. It's straight into “Are You Here” and the band are clearly very tight and well focused by the prior months of touring.


By the time that Blaze-era Maiden classic “Futureal” bursts out of the speakers, you will know that you are in for a tour de force live record. Indeed, with Blaze's backing band consisting of three members of Absolva the sound is energetic and the tempos suitably urgent. This live rendition knocks the “Virtual XI” album version into a neatly cocked hat; it has the energy, enthusiasm and vibe that much of that album lacked.


You can hear the crowd in many parts of the record- Blaze getting them involved and keeping them engaged. This is a lesson in how to work a venue's crowd and how to make a gig of any size seem like a stadium show. Blaze delivers a very clear introduction to “The First True Sign” that is clearly meant to be understood by the French fans and this highlights how much Blaze cares about the fans and the crowds- having seen him live a couple of times over the last few years this absolutely shines through in his stage show; whether he be playing Grimsby, Manchester or more exotic locations. Not for him the London elitism of other artists: he and the band give their all at EVERY show.

If I am being honest, I miss tracks from “The Man Who Would Not Die” not being included, but the addition of “Silicon Messiah” almost makes up for it. It's a great song from a great album that was overlooked on release, due to a certain “classic lineup” reforming and putting a record out at the same time. Timing is everything, but there we are. From there we are lucky enough to hear the epic “Dawn of the Dead Son” and the storming “Escape Velocity” from “Endure and Survive”; as convincing a one-two punch as you will hear. Later in the set, we also get the title track.

Naturally, this record being from the tour in support of “The Redemption of William Black” there are a fair few songs from it: “Fight Back”, “Prayers of Light”, “Immortal One” and the aforementioned tracks all feature and showcase just how stiring that record was- quite an achievement to be firing on all cylinders at the end of a three album cycle. The songs come thick and fast- no let up from the band for several tracks at a time and it's clear that Blaze and cohorts are intent on delivering a strong set list, high on value and low on gimmicks.

At the mid-point, we get a committed rendition of “Virus” from Blaze's Maiden days. Truthfully, I never liked the track much on the “Best of the Beast” compilation, but I appreciate it a lot more in this setting. In the latter part of the album, Blaze professes his appreciation of the crowd and his love of being an independent artist. Truly, this independence suits Blaze as he can do what he wants and follow his muse. Blaze gives some heartfelt thanks and some good humour as well in the introduction to “Independence” and then it's back to serious headbanging business.

The latter half of the set is weighted more towards the first record in the “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy and is thus a little more up beat than the first half. This keeps the energy levels up and gives the impression of the band going from strength to strength- no coasting towards encores here! It's a pleasure to hear such tracks as “Human “and “A Thousand Years” (both classics, IMO).

There is also a real curio for fans in the shape of a re-worked version of “The Angel and The Gambler”. The track was much maligned when first released; the endlessly repeating chorus, the parping synth, the hard rock styling... However, I have always quite liked it. Sure, it's over long on “Virtual XI” and synths are an acquired taste, but delivered straight as a grooving hard rock track with audience participation and no synths it WORKS! It's like a step child to AC/DC with Blaze really giving it some vocally. Martin McNee puts in a solid drum solo amidst some serious (dual) guitar pyrotechnics with Luke Appleton of Iced Earth and Absolva joining as a guest.

Now, if you want an unarguable Maiden classic, “Man on the Edge” is here for you. Fast as a shark and twice a deadly this is one of Blaze's and perhaps even Maiden's best. The last three tracks take in “A Thousand Years” (power metal heaven!), the trilogy's title track and “Dark Energy 256”. Blaze's appreciation of the crowd is sincere and made very clear. The in-between song banter pushes some of the song lengths- and is at the start of tracks instead of at the end, so cannot be skipped... but isn't that what a live album is suppose to be?! It is an accurate representation of the shows from this tour and captures the band on ferocious form.

If you ever thought about seeing Blaze but decided against it, get down to the next tour in 2019. You are guaranteed a fully committed performance of many, many classic songs- for a very reasonable price, I might add. There is nothing to not like here: twenty storming performances of twenty storming songs by a band and vocalist who deserve every success. Blaze is out there, fighting the good fight and living his dream. If you buy this album or buy a ticket to a show you help him to keep doing just that and you'll enrich your own life in the process. A fair exchange.

 

“Live in France” is available HERE

Band info: official || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Blaze Bayley - “The Redemption of William Black (Infinite Entanglement Part III)”

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 02/03/2018

Label: Blaze Bayley Recordings

“...this is one of the best metal records of recent times. Completely engaging and deftly handled; this is creative, different and daring. “The Redemption of William Black”, and by extension every record of the “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy, exhibits the very best of the heavy metal genre: it goes against the grain, stands alone and dares to be different. A triumph.”

“The Redemption of William Black (Infinite Entanglement Part III)” CD//DD track listing:

1. Redeemer
2. Are You Here
3. Immortal One
4. The First True Sign
5. Human Eyes
6. Prayers Of Light
7. 18 Days
8. Already Won
9. Life Goes On
10. The Dark Side Of Black
11. Eagle Spirit

The Review:

As noted in my review of “Infinite Entanglement Part 1 and Part 2” (Endure and Survive), Blaze Bayley has been on the form of his life these past couple of years. Now nearly twenty years into his solo career, the creative urge is still flowing through Blaze's veins. One album per year over a three year stretch is no mean feat; most brand new artists could not manage it. In fact, you would have to look back to the heady days of classic Motorhead or Saxon to find this kind of output in metal. With Manchester's mighty men of metal, Absolva, still providing an immense musical bedrock, this is the concluding part in the Sci Fi Concept trilogy that is “Infinite Entanglement”; the story of William Black and his 1000 year journey from darkness to personal redemption.

Now, far be it from me to suggest that the tale is completely allegorical- but the vocal performances are so emotional, so heartfelt, that there could well be some element of personal experience within these high concept fantasy songs. Opener “Redeemer” continues the tale with voice-overs to set up the listener for the next developments. Blaze's distinctive tones come in after a minute or so while the track soars majestically out of the speakers. There is a blazing solo and several sing along sections, begging for a live airing.

The album continues with “Are You Here”, propelled by a kind of dark energy that lends a genuine air of uncertainty as to how things are going to conclude. The material is anthemic and it seems to have struck a balance between the relatively upbeat “Infinite Entanglement” and the much darker “Endure and Survive” album. The storming “Immortal One” follows, ratcheting up the tension in the story and exhibiting very nifty rhythm playing from Chris Appleton with Martin McNee and Karl Schramm playing very deftly indeed (the double pedal work is absolutely on point). In fact, McNees's performance throughout the record is fantastic- great phrasing and good use of the whole kit for varied sounds and textures throughout; just listen to “The First True Sign” for proof- a very catchy track, filled with operatic vocals, time changes and great melodies.

When Blaze slows things down, as on “Human Eyes”, the effect is fantastic- the more ballad orientated tracks on each of the trilogy lend an ebb and flow to the records and allow breathing room in between the songs where the pedal is placed firmly to the metal. “Human Eyes” stands as testimony to great song writing and Blaze really gives his all.

Fozzy's Chris Jericho crops up as a voice-over artist and backing vocalist on “Prayers of Light” and the song is a barn stormer- again, it is begging to be played live with its catchy hooks and riffs. The emotionally gruelling “18 Days” is rhythmically inventive with a very strong vocal melody through both verses and choruses- this one will get stuck in your head for days. Blaze duets with Liz Owen on this one and the contrast in voices works superbly- again highlighting the range of textures present on the record. Great song.

Owen crops up again via a writing credit for “Already Won”, which sounds like absolutely vintage Blaze; hard rock melodies, metal styling and big hooks. “Life Goes On” utilises acoustic guitars along within a pragmatic and wistful message. Once again, Blaze's vocal performance is fantastic. Gone are the rushed sounding takes present on 2012's “King of Meta”l and in their place are the performances of a man who is absolutely committed to his craft and taking the time to get things just right. Similarly, the instrumental section is truly a thing of joy- the band play sublimely.

The final two tracks of the record are the ones that have to tie up the story and finish the trilogy in fine style. Blaze and band rise to the challenge easily and “The Dark Side Black” fairly sprints out of the speakers and delivers a master-class in proper heavy metal, from the riffs and solos to the melodies and the rhythm section, it is a classic track and keeps the listener engaged ready for a very big finish. The big finish is positively massive- “Eagle Spirit” is nigh on nine minutes of majestic metal. Atmosphere, drama and pathos are all here; created both by the music, lyrics and vocals- with a grizzled and gritty voice over to set up the final part of the tale.

Blaze seems to have used no small amount of introspection to write the lyrics. When he sings “They said I was nothing but that is not true. How could I survive after all I've been through?!” I got the sense that Blaze was answering his own questions with defiance and conviction. Indeed, with these three records he has met critics and adversity head on and given a riposte so forceful that it is a coup de grace.

Certainly, this is the conclusion to the best trio of concept records I have ever heard, but more than that this is one of the best metal records of recent times. Completely engaging and deftly handled; this is creative, different and daring. “The Redemption of William Black”, and by extension every record of the “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy, exhibits the very best of the heavy metal genre: it goes against the grain, stands alone and dares to be different. A triumph.

“The Redemption of William Black (Infinite Entanglement Part III)” is available here

Band info: official || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Savage Messiah - "Hands Of Fate"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 27/10/2017

Label: Century Media Records

The record is a solid, well written, well produced and expertly played slice of modern heavy metal. The hooks and melodies are there and they are very good, but adrenaline is not a key ingredient any more.

“Hands of Fate” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Hands Of Fate

2. Wing And A Prayer

3. Blood Red Road

4. Lay Down Your Arms

5. Solar Corona

6. Eat Your Heart Out

7. Fearless

8. The Last Confession

9. The Crucible

10. Out Of Time

The Review:

Savage Messiah are one of the UK's premier melodic thrash/heavy metal acts and have done considerable business both at home and abroad over the course of their first three albums. From their thrashing debut “Insurrection Rising” to the slightly difficult second album “Plague of Conscience” and then on to the melodic majesty of “The Fateful Dark”, this fourth album comes with considerable expectations attached and is wrapped up in an altogether more “serious” package of artwork and sounds.

Once again, the band has stepped up onto a larger label, once again the ideas are forward thinking and once again the production is very good. The title track is up first and is best described as a mixture of mid period/ latter day Judas Priest and Metallica at their more melodic. As the record progresses, it is clear that the band are now much more firmly in the “heavy metal bracket” and much less in the more underground thrash genre. That is not to say that the album is not heavy- it is; the likes of “Wing and a Prayer” has chugging verse sections, lots of leads but all topped with a slick vocal production and some very catchy soaring choruses.

There are faster tracks here, but no outright barn burners; “Blood Red Road” shows the band can still put the pedal to the metal and also demonstrates that Savage Messiah now inhabit a similar genre to the excellent Absolva- British Heavy Metal as a composite of classic sounds and bands with a very modern twist. The band have gone for the solid ten track album format and as the tracks go by, there is a cohesive feel- even from mid paced stompers like “Lay Down Your Arms” to the speedier melodies “Solar Corona” to the anthemic and pacey “Eat Your Heart Out”- which almost sounds like a classic Def Leppard track until the first riff kicks in.

Make no mistake, this is slick stuff and offers up a kind of composite which bridges NWOBHM sounds and enthusiasm with Priest at their arena conquering height whilst also taking in more modern production techniques and sounds. “Fearless” is almost hard rock- the vocal and chorus could be straight off … well, something a lot more commercial than I would expect. The solo section makes up for this somewhat saccharine turn, though.

There is nothing over five minutes on this album, which is quite telling in regards to where the band are aiming for and where they are heading. The quasi-ballad “Last Confession” drops the tempo but does not extend the playing time, opting instead for an anthemic chorus and a quiet/loud dynamic. The final two tracks of the album appealed to me a lot more- “The Crucible” is one of the heavier tracks on the album with a solid riff and commercial leanings kept to a minimum, while “Out of Time” provides a darkly atmospheric finish to this  intriguing record.

Overall, then we can conclude: Savage Messiah are a thrash band no longer and that style has not been pursued here. The band are making a play for commercial appeal by dialling down the metal imagery and more spiky elements of their sound. The record is a solid, well written, well produced and expertly played slice of modern heavy metal. The hooks and melodies are there and they are very good, but adrenaline is not a key ingredient any more. Having seen the band at Damnation Festival in 2015 (I think) I was converted into a fan over the course of their short set. You would be hard pressed to find many bands doing this style better. If melodic heavy metal is your bag, then definitely check this out- if thrash madness is what you are after, then Kreator, Overkill, Sodom and others have more of what you need.

“Hand of Fate” is available here

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Absolva - "Defiance"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 28/07/2017

Label: Rocksector Records

For anyone interested in melody and hooks, they will find them here. The guitar pyrotechnics are astonishing- really good solos- and the band as a whole sound very cohesive, live and tight. The UK's best kept secret in metal? Not for much longer. Absolva will soon reign!! 

“Defiance “CD//DD track listing:

CD 1

1. Life on the Edge

2. Defiance

3. Rise Again

4. Fistful of Hate

5. Never Be the Same

6. Alarms

7. Connections

8. Midnight Screams

9. Life and Death

10. Eclipse

11. Who Dares Wins

12. Reflection

CD 2 (Bonus)

1. Harsh Reality

2. Hundred Years (Live)

3. Live for the Fight (Live)

4. Drum Solo (Live)

5. Code Red (Live)

6. Never A Good Day to Die (Acoustic)

7. It Is What It Is (Acoustic)

8. Never Back Down (Acoustic)

The Review:

Absolva return with studio album number four. This Manchester metal band are amongst the hardest working in the business- three of them are Blaze Bayley's band and have played on his latest albums, one plays with Iced Earth as well! Holding down two regular bands is enough of a feat on its own, but to produce this level of quality across the board... well, that is another proposition entirely.

For those who are unfamiliar, Absolva are a heavy metal band. Not thrash, not trad, not blackened sludge with ambient passages: heavy metal. I suppose that their sound is mid way between, say, Judas Priest, Accept, Alter Bridge and Metallica. “Defiance” follows up the rather excellent never “A Good Day To Die” and continues down that road- while being a little heavier and a little more rocking to my ears.

Opener “Life On The Edge” sets the tone- blazing guitars, superb clean vocals and a meaty production. The title track is just as good- catchy and anthemic with a strong refrain. Truthfully, Absolva would go down really well as a support for any of the aforementioned bands- and that is exactly the type of tour they need to push them over the edge from professional band into the rock start bracket. That these boys are not in the mainstream press and consciousness as much as they should be is ridiculous.

As the album's twelve tracks progress, the quality control is there- each track is different and brings hooks, melody and weight. The urgency of “Rise Again” is balanced by the strong hooks. The mid paced likes of “Fistful of Hate” sit alongside faster tracks such as “Never Be The Same” and melodic tracks such as “Alarms”, while the revved up charge of “Who Dares Wins” delivers a shot of adrenaline as a counterpoint to the more restrained fare.

For your money, you also get a bonus CD (or MP3s, I suppose) of acoustic versions from earlier albums and a selection of live versions. As a nice bonus, it's a winner- it encourages the listener to delve into the back catalogue and gives value for money.

For anyone interested in melody and hooks, they will find them here. The guitar pyrotechnics are astonishing- really good solos- and the band as a whole sound very cohesive, live and tight. The UK's best kept secret in metal? Not for much longer. Absolva will soon reign, after all Maiden and Saxon won't be around forever.

“Defiance” is available here

Band info: official || facebook