Reviews: Heavenblack, Kaisas, Senses, Nightsteel (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

Heavenblack - Blindfolded (Sleaszy Rider Records)

Ahh nothing I like more than when a band successfully makes modern old school heavy metal. The Greeks seem to be especially good at it and Blindfolded the debut album from Heavenblack is another quality addition to the collective. 

Though they don't sound Greek, in fact they sound like they come from Bridgend, yeah there's bits of Queensryche and Priest but the overriding sound is that of Bullet For My Valentine or Trivium as the classic metal harmonies are brought through some modern metal meatiness, My Insane for instance is thrashy as is The Dominant. The tracks are anthemic, with a big drum sound and biting guitars, the mainly mid-pace riffs leading to big choruses, such as Hell Denied and On My Skin. 

Vocally too there's lot similar to Matt Tuck, clean and a bit angsty as the tracks are well written but never jump out too much at you. Bags of talent on offer here but if they're aiming for more of the Evergrey/Queensryche sound then I suggest making the music a bit more progressive than it is. Still a decent modern old school metal record. 7/10

Kaisas - Ieria (Sleaszy Rider Records) 

The fourth album from Greek hard rock band Kaisas is not as cohesive as it should. Founded by Babis Kaisas (guitar/bass/songwriter) and drummer Fotis Nestor Canister are the core of the band but Ieria features 9 singers including David Reece (Accept, Bangalore Choir), Ian Parry (Elegy), Alan Kelly (Shy), Paul Jackson (Roadhouse), all well versed in the AOR/melodic rock genre which is where this act is comfortable. 

Unfortunately like a lot of the early years of this genre Ieria suffers from a lot of dodgy lyrics. Apparently inspired by female nature through history, a lot of the lyrics bring the ick, the exception being Birmingham Lights which is dedicated to Tony Mills. The rest though is not good, the songs are quite basic, the vocals feel phoned in from everyone involved and the lyrics often are just dire. I don't like to badmouth an album but I didn't find much to enjoy on Ieria. 5/10

Senses - Under Your Spell (Self Released)

Now this is how you do AOR/Melodic rock! Under Your Spell has the slickness and song writing of a band who seem destined to sign to Frontiers Music. An album cover dressed in neon pinks and blues, it sounds exactly like it looks. Paying homage to the likes of Journey, Boston and Night Ranger as well as more modern Scandi acts such as H.E.A.T, Eclipse. The booming opener Silent Disco sets the scene with some similarities to Separate Ways, the neon and sunsets shimmering through the song about letting go and just enjoying yourself.

 
There's the typical lyrics of love, loneliness and using music as a release. Lonely takes things towards a poppier direction while Hard Action has some chugging Leppard style guitars as Out Of Line brings a touch of NWOBHM. The keys stab, the guitars rock (I Know) and the vocals are highly melodic, with maturity in the lyrics especially on the tough ballad of a title track. Senses can pen a tune, saving the best until last as bona-fide radio single Give Me Life... is such a good cut they even retitle it ...Charlize for an acoustic version to close the record. You will fall under Senses' spell very quickly, with this album of catchy, modern melodic rock/AOR. 7/10

Nightsteel - Nightsteel (Self Released)

I'd love to tell you about Nightsteel, but I can't find anything about them as a band, no band members, no info, nothing. They have a bandcamp where you can buy this debut, but no other social media. So apologies in advance if I don't go into as much detail as I should and also I apologise if Nightsteel are an A.I band (power/classic metal seems to be the go to genre for A.I created content). *Editors note - they are a real band*

Anyway what's the album like? Well it's classic heavy metal inspired by Helloween, Gamma Ray, Accept and Manowar, very Germanic in sound and scale with twin axe harmonies, meteoric vocals and plenty of speed. The one gripe is that the production is all over the place, some tracks are very modern some are more retro but the music scratches every itch you could want.

Be it with synths on Eternal Fight, mid-paced rockers on Calm Lake and a Whispers Of The Heart is a big ballad. Again the lyrics aren't the most creative, Panagioti is a major crime no matter how heartfelt the sentiment. So the mysterious Nightsteel bring the steel with classic power/heavy metal. I'll keep digging about who the hell they are. 7/10