There are so many bands participating in this thing called 'The New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal', and many of these groups have members who appear in more than one. Case in point Canadian vocalist Tyler Anderson, who not only fronts the excellent Gatekeeper, but also Odinfist, alongside guitarists Jeff Black & Adam Bergen, drummer Tommy Tro, and bassist David Messier. Their latest album Remade in Steel is a no-nonsense homage to classic metal from the early '80s like Manowar, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Liege Lord, Agent Steel, Omen, and Virgin Steele. This is their second album, and while just north of 30-minutes, it delivers a fine burst of vintage sounding heavy metal, long on cliches but also long on crunchy riff-o-rama, blazing solos, and histrionic vocals. "Riffmaster" is just so damn catchy, and you'll be banging your head to the crushing "Metalmancer" as Anderson shrieks to the heavens and the onslaught of riffs commences. The title track is loads of fun, "Allfather" is galloping cheese that will bring a smile to any fan of Manowar, while the darker "Deadline" combines doom with Judas Priest-styled epicness. The epic closer "Masquerade" displays some of the adventurism of early Fates Warning and Crimson Glory, showing that there might be some prog-metal tendencies waiting to be unleashed within this band.
On the downside, the production isn't the greatest, and there isn't a whole lot of originality going on here, but who cares, Remade in Steel is lots of fun, and in the world of heavy metal, that's all that matters.
Track Listing
1.
Riffmaster 06:28
2.
Metalmancer 04:36
3.
Remade in Steel 05:16
4.
Allfather 06:51
5.
Deadline 05:16
6.
Masquerade 08:34
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