Wildestarr: Beyond the Rain

From the start, Wildestarr simultaneously looked backwards and forwards. The backwards glance goes to traditional metal bands like Queensryche, Dio, Savatage, and Judas Priest. Wildestarr is unabashedly committed to classic metal and the music on this album shows that the old school sound has much offer. In an age of genre blending and heavy experimentation, it's refreshing to hear traditional metal played with gusto (and without irony). Even if the music is occasionally repetitive, Wildestarr plays with such energy that there's no loss of interest. The band's lineup includes Dave Starr (guitars), London Wilde (vocals) and Josh Foster (drums). Fans of Vicious Rumors or Chastain will certainly recognize Starr's guitar prowess and his talent for songwriting. Wilde's vocals, soaring and wide-ranging, belong in a band just like this. She definitely helps Wildestarr stand out from the pack.

The band's forward glance has to do with the ways music can create hope and healing in the wake of tragedy. For this album, the music reflects on the wide and paradoxical range of emotions that followed the 2012 suicide of Wilde's brother Gary. The band always remembered Gary as a silent part of the band but this album brings him to the forefront. Every track explores the wide-ranging emotions that followed his death. I liked "Beyond the Rain," "Crimson Fifths," and "Rage and Water" the most. They were good at suggesting the ways music may provide a much-needed escape and relief from tragedy and loss. Fans of traditional metal should enjoy this one.

Track Listing:
1. Metamorphose
2. Beyond the Rain
3. Pressing the Wires
4. Red
5. Down Cold
6. Rage and Water
7. Crimson Fifths
8. Undersold
9. From Shadow
10. When the Night Falls

Added: December 21st 2017
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1455
Language: english

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