SYTH: The Dawn Of War CDEP

Glasgow band that play real metal as it used to be - taking cues from the likes of vintage Iron Maiden, Judas Priest & Thin Lizzy, to name but three, they have produced four 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.
'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 CD 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 an EP that no serious rock fan should be without.

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