Artist: Alpha Tiger
Title: Man or Machine
Type: Album
Label: Sonic Attack

Sonic Attack is a new record label started by Noise Records mastermind Karl Walterbach, to this end, Alpha Tiger are a band close to his heart. Featuring traditional metal combined with lyrics dealing with the loss of individuality in todays mass populous and a growing Orwellian approach in this western world. Previously known as Satin Black, this debut under their new guise has English Saxony heritage, but is brought up to date with some powerful, almost Geoff Tate of old vocal renditions courtesy of Stephan Dietrich. Laden with hooks and riffs, sing along harmonies, Alpha Tiger certainly join the legion of strong musicians and this is prevalent more so on tracks like ‘Crimson Desert’. Atmosphere is never far from each track, the ability to build further on strong foundations is what this band has to their credit, and of course an appearance at this year’s Keep It True festival won’t do them any harm either.

Epic is a word that springs to mind, without going too far down the over-the-top music path, in this I mean group vocal harmonies and a joyous guitar driven arrangement featuring light and shade at every twist and turn. ‘Against the Time’ really stands out; it’s full of energy, guitar sweeps and also treads dangerously close to a ‘Maiden riff at the start! But what you have is pure traditional metal, slowing down for the emotive mid-section before picking up the pace again in true professional style, although the funfair sound bite could be dropped!

Alpha Tiger is the real deal, if you enjoyed the 80’s period of Helloween, Iron Maiden and similar artists, you will adore this release. Presenting the album cover with animal visionary truly defines intent, a metal album, and a band that certainly has caught this writer’s attention. ‘Man or Machine’ is one of those albums that you will be hard pressed to ignore.

http://www.alphatiger.de
http://www.sonicattack.de