This band, Starblind, were one of my most pleasing and unexpected “discoveries” of last year when I received a copy of their debut album Darkest Horrors (review here). The boys wear their New Wave of British Heavy Metal influences proudly and know how to strut their stuff.
Now, I am pleased to report, the band are set to release the follow up – Dying Son – on 4 December after being snapped up by Pure Steel records. The press release blurb describes Starblind as: “catchy Heavy Metal with majestic twin guitar leads, pumping bass guitar, dynamic drums and melodic, powerful vocals.” A statement which is extremely accurate.
As is this one: “deliver traditional Heavy Metal as if time had stood still since 1984.” Starblind most certainly do just that. It’s the NNWOBHM (New New Wave of British Heavy Metal) even though the band is from Sweden.
Thanks to the band and Pure Steel I have had the good fortune to have access to the pre-release MP3s of Dying Son. Now, whilst being an old fart NWOBHM fan from the 1970s I don’t get the download jiggery-pokery so will wait until I get my grubby fingers on a “proper” CD before posting a full review. However after a listen on the MP3s, Starblind have come up with a monster, monster album here.
The opening/title track is a real attention grabber. Massive riffery, astounding guitars all over it, thumping drums and bass and a hell raising vocal. Awesome. Another highlight being Room 101 as that judders along powerfully delivering the goods. Check out the promo video for A Dying Son:
The crowning glory being the epic close out The Land of Seven Rivers Beyond the Sea. Eleven minutes of manic classic heavy metal with atmosphere and a prog-metal thing going on too. Mike Stark’s vocals are astounding. Such range as he manages to hit notes right on the edge of the human aural range with ease and without it sounding forced or for the sake of it.
As for the song – wow. The first section alternates between serene pastoral acoustic medieval type strumming with short, punchy, powerful riffs and nifty fretwork. The middle section tricks the listener as it slows things down after an initial killer guitar and you’re waiting for the explosion again as the guitars chuck away in the background getting gradually louder until it all kicks off again – you know it’s coming, not when. Stark re-enters the fray with more vocal acrobatics and it’s all systems go again with solo nirvana and everyone gets to shine.
There’s a lot of talent and ability here. If I had the power to do so (I don’t but, heck, I’m going to do it anyway) I’d appoint Starblind as the natural successors to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.
Get Dying Son on release day. That’s 4 December 2015. That’s what I’ll be doing with, as mentioned above, a full review to follow then given my old fashioned preference for a “proper” CD given my stuck in the 1970s approach to listening technology.
Starblind are:
Mike Stark – vocals
Daniel Tillberg – bass
Zakarias Wikner – drums
Björn Rosenblad – lead guitars
Johan Jonasson – lead guitars
http:// www.starblind.se
http://www.facebook.com/StarBlindtheBand