Edinburgh is a place steeped in history so it comes as no surprise that this band that calls it their hometown takes you for a heavy metal ride that feels like you might be cruising around 1980 instead of 2011. This old school band takes its cues from the NWOBHM legends and creates a very listenable album that might not thrill but is certainly a decent slice of rock and roll.
With lead singer Laura Donnelly the band tries to add a twist to their sound with the distinct female singer but although she has some very powerful pipes, it is the music that she is given to deal with that is the main problem with the band. The whole album sounds so similar that you really don't get much of a feel after the first couple tracks because they all start to sound the same. Every song is a mid tempo anthem like rocker where the main emphasis is highlighting Donnelly's talents which are substantial.
This is a band with a load of potential but needs to get a bit more adventurous when it comes to songwriting. The have the power metal fist pumping anthem down pat, now go for something to change it up a bit. The group has the talent which is amply shown in terrific cuts like "River Of The Dead" and the epic "Born To Die" but seem to be stuck in a rut. These pair of songs are the ones that show the most diversity and hold the promise of what may be in the future. I can't say that this is a bad album, far from it but one that could be called a one trick pony. If you are looking for a dose of old school heavy metal without any deviation than this is a disc for you. I think that they are a band that could make some waves but they need to step out of the familiar and take some risk.
Track listing:
1. Rive Of The Dead
2. Into The Black
3. Wheel Of Pain
4. Iron Void
5. The Unborn
6. Hell's Mouth
7. Beneath The Nameless City
8. Falling Down
9. Born To Die
10. Cleansed By Fire
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