SYTH: Warzone CD
Just under an hour long, this is the debut album from Glasgow metallers Syth and it's an absolute winner of real heavy metal as it should be played, from start to finish. Taking cues from the likes of vintage Iron Maiden, Judas Priest & Thin Lizzy, to name but three, they have produced 11 blistering tracks that any fan of the aforementioned bands surely can't fail to enjoy. Opening with 'Warzone' there's an immediate adrenaline rush as the rhythm section lays down a roaring foundation above which the riffing guitars fire up and the strong vocals just soar through. The thing you notice is that the production really brings out the best in the twin-guitar attack that is a definite trademark of the band. Around the two minute mark, the twin guitars really attack before the song spirals upwards and leads into this incendiary section around the three minute mark where the guitars launch into a split-stereo lead solo over the punishing beats, and the effect is pure headbanging and air guitar pleasure, the whole thing absolutely irresistible to the "old skool" metalhead. The song itself is addictive, heavy and six and a half minutes of classic metal. If that wasn't enough, 'Plague' positively races in on a wave of guitar riffs, rolling drums and rumbling bass as the impassioned vocal once again rises above it all, leading into an anthemic chorus that really flies, once more well worthy of classic early Iron Maiden and another ripping good song. With a more urgent and electrifying sea of guitar-duelling mid-way, the whole thing roars into your head in fine metal fashion.
'End Of Days" roars along with a soaring, powerful vocal and here, the lead guitar work is just outstanding as the dual guitars riff and solo, duelling away over the pummelling backing that is the punishing rhythm section in full flight, as echoes of Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hills" are heard in abundance, only here the track is way faster, plus its twists and turns show it to be a darned sight more inventive while still maintaining its absolute metallic sensibilities to the max. "Into The Light" doesn't let up for a second, this time a really high-flying vocal towering over the roar of the driving rhythm section, as heavyweight guitar chords crunch in the background, while solo and harmony vocals deliver as classic a slice of eighties-influenced heavy metal as you've heard for a long time, the whole thing rocking like a demon and utterly compulsive listening as well as headbanging enjoyment to the nth degree. "Harmony" is another anthem, this time driving rather than fast but losing none of its power or hammer-down metallic intensity as the massed guitars provide a scorching sea of chords, as the rhythm section thunders along, a harmony-laden chorus soars and the feel of Judas Priest mixed with Thin Lizzy emerges triumphant on a slice of stunning metal song-writing that maintains its originality despite, or even because of, the influences involved in its evolution, and, complete with steaming electric guitar soloing and duelling, is an awesome slice of real man's metal in anyone's books. "No Tomorrow" takes the tempo down to chilled with a gorgeous guitar intro, as cymbals tinkly away, deep bass is introduced, a lilting lead guitar begins to climb. Then - kerboooommmmmm!!!!!!!!!! - the band erupts in a hail of dual-guitar power chords as the track takes on a mix of Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden but altogether more engaging than even those two heavyweights of metal past. The track then suddenly dives into a completely different direction as staccato rhythms and guitars provide this fast, lurching crunching sea of beats, rhythms and adrenaline rush metal guitar chords that drip thickly from the airwaves as the vocals really fly, the words audible as throughout the album and yet another gem of molten metal is let loose in fine '80's-influenced UK metal fashion. 'Tortured Souls' opens with a stinging lead guitar solo before the band emerges briefly, halts, then this on-fire guitar solo ushers in a rampaging beast of a track, calling to mind early Saxon, as another surging song unfolds, this time twisting and turning through a soaring set of verses, the vocals really powerful and full of emotion, while the choruses are more staccato, amid fiery guitar work and rock solid rhythm section propulsion.
"The Hunt" and "Thunder Roar" are two absolute rock monster belters, suitably fit for the most demanding of UK metal fans, while the album ends on 'We Stand Alone' as yet another gem of a metal composition rides out and takes you with it in all its anthemic hard-rockin' glory. With original songs that do the band credit and playing that is the essence of classic heavy metal topped with a vocalist who can really deliver the goods, this is one red hot band in action and a CD album that no serious rock fan should be without.
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