Artist: Herman Frank
Title: Loyal To None
Type: Album
Label: Metal Heaven
Herman Frank has an impressive C.V. – making his name as a guitarist with Accept and Victory and as a producer for the likes of Rose Tattoo, Molly Hatchet and Saxon. Now, after a quarter of a century of service to the cause, he is trying his hand at a solo album, with pretty darn successful results. The band he’s put together is something of a European metal super group, with a rhythm section comprised of former Krokus/Helloween/Paradox/Accept/U.D.O. drummer Stefan Schwarzmann and Running Wild bassist Peter Pichl, with Victory’s Jiotis Parachidis providing the vocals.
Herman himself obviously handles all the guitar parts and his performance is right up there with anything from his illustrious past. As well as wielding his axe to devastating effect Herman has also composed all the songs on Loyal To None and produced and mixed the whole affair. The songs are, without exception, classy metal outings full of energy, great solos, memorable hooks, choruses and melodies and classic riffs. Fans of bands like Accept, Running Wild, Saxon, Grave Digger, Grim Reaper etc. should take instantly to ‘Moon II’, ‘7 Stars’, ‘Kill The King’ – no, not a cover of the Rainbow classic, but still a great song – ‘Metal Gods’ – no, that’s not a cover version either – ‘Welcome To Hell’ – err, nope, it’s not a take on the legendary Venom number – and ‘Down To The Valley’.
As for the production, well it’s crisp, powerful and pretty much spot on for this kind of driving, anthemic metal. Respect where it’s due, when it comes to straight down the line hard rock and heavy metal Herman Frank knows what the fuck he’s doing. Loyal To None is a very enjoyable album which should be warmly welcomed by all fans of traditional metal – despite Herman’s unusual penchant for using other people’s song titles!
http://www.hermanfrank.com/
http://www.myspace.com/hermanfrank
Chris Kee
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