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The Vulture's Amulet

    
       
       
       
     
             
Lady Beast are a heavy metal band from the USA formed in 2009. releasing their self titled debut album in 2012, followed by 'Lady Beast II' in 2015. The 'Metal Immortal' E.P. was released in 2016, with the bands third album 'Vicious Breed' a 2017 release. 2020 will see the release of the bands fourth album 'The Vulture's Amulet'.    
             
Lady Beast continue their push to the forefront of the worldwide heavy metal scene with their third full length album in just five years. Building their reputation on delivering heavy hitting "foot on the monitor" style heavy metal with a classic and traditional feel, Lady Beast also deliver highly energetic live performances. The bands album is a fast and furious forty minute rollercoaster ride of thundering heavy metal to get you head banging hard... Starting with the all out, flat out and fiery 'The Metal Machine', Lady Beast begin a heavy metal thunderstorm that just keeps rolling until the albums end. 'Metal Machine' is classic heavy metal, fully rampant and guaranteed to bang heads...hard! Singer Deborah Levine is in fine form, her voice perfectly suited to this style of heavy metal. The album powers on with the high velocity 'Runes Of Rust', carving out a blistering trail of fire as it hurtles by. The classic sound of traditional heavy metal in full flight has never sounded so good...    
             
...until 'The Gift' makes it sound even better. Upping the tempo, energy and speed, 'The Gift' is a rocket fuelled journey of vigorous head banging. Even grandmasters Iron Maiden and Judas Priest fade away when compared to just how much NWOBHM is woven into 'The Gift' - and considering Lady Beast reside across the pond from the country where it all started, what an achievement... The darker, more menacing feel of 'Sacrifice To The Unseen' creeps into view, and with a riff so synonymous with the iconic buzzing guitars of the NWOBHM, picks up tempo and thunders on mid paced. Listen carefully, and there's a little trace of the melodic style of thrash that Metallica brought to the world with their genre defining 'Master Of Puppets' album. With a slight hint of the AC/DC boogie, the opening guitar riff to 'Betrayer' sounds like a metallized version of 'Let There Be Rock'...but the boogie influence quickly dissipates when 'Betrayer' picks up the pace and thunders on. Many American bands try to imitate or copy the NWOBHM sound, without success. But in the shape of the mighty Lady Beast - they have succeeded, and even surpassed some of the UK's NWOBHM bands!    
             
Oh my fucking God...it's one of those go weak at the knees moments now, for 'The Champion' is a "I'm gonna wet myself I'm so excited" moment of awesomeness. For one who grew up during the eighties NWOBHM heyday, falling in love with all the pioneers, from Raven to Saxon to Angel Witch to the masters and grandmasters, I am getting the same kinda buzz right now as I did back then. Lady Beast are hitting the sweet spot - multiple times! And, holy smokes! The pace of 'Transcend The Blade' is electric... Fast and furious just doesn't do it justice. Fast and aggressive is maybe a more correct description. The only thing missing from 'Transcend The Blade' is Deborah's voice...for 'Transcend The Blade' is a scorching instrumental that deserves vigorous head banging from start to finish. Absolutely superb. The title song 'The Vulture's Amulet' is a staggering NWOBHM gem. Bigger riffing than Saxon and Manowar, 'The Vulture's Amulet' is a mid paced monster, a Godzilla sized behemoth that stands head and shoulders above many of the bands contemporaries. To say this is a great album isn't quite correct, it's a fucking great album. Go buy it...you won't be disappointed. And oh my, clean up in aisle one!!! What a climax...to the album - 'Vow Of The Valkyrie' is lightning quick, the fastest song on offer, and a head bangers dream come true. Heads will just be a blur as 'Vow Of The Valkyrie' blazes by at break neck speed. Lady Beast have delivered one of the best albums of 2020.    
             
Overall, a sizzling album of pure energy and bombast, 'The Vulture's Amulet' is a top notch heavy metal album worthy of a place right next to grandmasters 'Maiden and 'Priest.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Reaper Metal Productions    
             
Review is also featured at Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Lady Beast II      
           
"the classic NWOBHM sound delivered at a head bangingly addictive pace, with buzzing guitars, galloping rhythms and a superb vocal display" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Metal Immortal E.P.      
           
"epitomising everything the NWOBHM stands for, this four song E.P. is a blistering, head bangingly addictive release" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Vicious Breed      
           
"a bustling slice of "foot on the monitor" style heavy metal from a band very much on the up, making a huge impact on the world wide heavy metal scene" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Omens E.P.      
           
"a five song gallop of traditional heavy metal, highly melodic and overly infectious, 'Omens' is world class" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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