From Sweden comes Air Raid and their first full length CD titled Night of the Axe on Stormspell Records. Though it seems that so much of the quality metal and hard rock these days comes from that country, it's kind of cool to hear a Swedish band doing the whole NWOBHM thing. Yes, these guys no doubt cut their teeth on classic Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Angel Witch, as well as Accept, Manowar, and Sanctuary, so be prepared for chugging, crunchy tunes filled with cool riffage, high pitched vocal histrionics, memorable choruses, guitar solos galore, and pounding rhythms. Sure, it's a formula that's been done before, but Air Raid have delivered an enjoyable and heavy product here that's impossible to ignore.
Just dig those tasty twin guitar harmonies on "The Lost City", the catchy, headbanging chorus to "Night of the Axe", the twisting riffs of "Raiders of Hell", and the shrieking Rob Halford-meets-King Diamond vocal attack of "Call of the Warlock" for a wild trip back to 1983. Much of the guitar work here is absolutely sizzling, and thankfully there's plenty of it. The band can also get quite 'epic' when they want to, case in point being the crushing yet melodic closer "A Blade in the Dark", complete with galloping rhythms, powerful vocals, and some really inventive riffing.
Air Raid are without a doubt a band to keep an eye on, and any lover of the NWOBHM movement or classic metal in general need to investigate Night of the Axe.
Track Listing
1. Treason
2. Night Of The Axe
3. The Lost City
4. Highway Legion
5. Dying Man
6. Raiders of Hell
7. Call of the Warlock
8. Reminiscence
9. Riding Out
10. A Blade in the Dark
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
