Having witnessed first-hand this US Power Metal bands return in Germany a couple of years ago, ‘Vengeance Rides an Angry Horse’ represents their first recorded output since their 1996 flop release ‘Coldblackugly’. Thankfully, the band is back firing on all cylinders like what you heard on their seminal debut release ‘Symphonies of Steel’ way back in 1984.
Opener ‘Gypsy’ leaves no stone unturned in terms of classic metal quality, if you like all those American power metal bands (before the Euro watering down genre came out) such as Leatherwolf, Malice and even some elements of Crimson Glory, you have a true comparison to this momentous offering and in some places, the big harmonies from vocalist Lennie Rizzo remind me of Russ North (Cloven Hoof). Not afraid to present the epic end of the metal world, indeed the aforementioned Cloven Hoof would approve of such similar art to theirs, the only criticism would be a clicking noise from the kick drums, it is doubtful that it’s triggered, but it does overpower the background sound in the mix. Other than that, this mix is thoroughly heavy and you cannot fail to nod in appreciation to the epic US power metal chorus’, riffs of these galloping guitar warriors and a whole atmospheric of battle charged metal glory. ‘Chasing the High’ and ‘Valley of Doom’ stand out from the rest of the pack, these are master class statements of traditional metal, one word to describe this that is previously used and overstated in this review admittedly, but it is epic there is no denying this fact.
Exxplorer have returned with a fantastic slab of real metal, thankfully not succumbing to modern influences or traits, the arrangements are full bodied glasses of vintage wine, whilst the whole presentation, right down to the artwork leaves no room for misinterpretation, this is a classic metal album and a very warm welcome awaits the listener to this exciting comeback release.
http://www.myspace.com/exxplorerband
Paul Maddison
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