Gang have been at the forefront of French heavy metal for over two decades. They wear their influences on their sleeves – and the main influence is New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Nothing wrong with that, right?
Their latest offering is album number ten entitled All for One. My thanks to Sylvain Cotte for sending a review copy of the CD. Most welcome it is too. Why? Because All for One is, in my opinion, a big step forward for Gang musically.
Yes. The NWOBHM influences are there in abundance. As are the crashing riffs, meaty solos and throbbing bass/drums. Though with All for One the band demonstrate a more expansive, ambitious sound which stretches out in to progressive/melodic metal territory in a mighty fine way.
Cuts such as the Almighty, the Legend and Another Tomorrow have the Gang bombast allied with a nice melodic tinge amidst the twin guitars.
The song writing and musical arrangements get a more complex on Lord Tell Me, the Devil in Me and Warchild. All extremely well delivered.
Follow the Sign is a broody, hypnotic slab of rock with a fine soaring vocal. Have a listen to the video:
Now – the highlight on an album of highlights. The title track. Monster, epic, heavy, progressive.
Weighs in at somewhere around a dozen minutes – all of which fly by. Everything comes together and comes alive fizzing with energy. Particularly the mid-section as the guitars trade licks with short, punchy, frenetic burst of solo activity. Superb stuff.
The closer – Save Me – is no back number either.
You may not have heard of Gang. Then let All for One be your introduction.
Doesn’t appear to be available via Amazon. I’d expect you’ll find it on download/streaming sites – I don’t know because I’m a CD only bloke.
Or try any of the band’s links:
http://www.undergroundinvestigation.fr
http://www.facebook.com/gang51
http://www.undergroundinvestigation.kingeshop.com
All for One is my “pleasant surprise of the year” album. I do recommend you track it down.
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