FRENZY FIRE

    

METAL & ROCK REVIEWS

    
             
HOME            
REVIEWS            
ARTISTS            
UPCOMING            
LINKS            
             

     
     
     
         
         

Heavy Weapons

      
         
         
         
     
             
Switchblade are a heavy metal band from Israel formed in 2005 by guitarist and vocalist Lior Stein - credited as Lior "Steinmetal" Stein on the bands debut album 'Heavy Weapons'. Released in 2013, 'Heavy Weapons' is heavily influenced by the eighties metal scene and the burgeoning NWOBHM phenomena...    
             
...an influence that can clearly be heard on the albums opening song (the title song) 'Heavy Weapons'. Quickly into their stride, Switchblade deliver a powerful slab of heavy metal that'll have fans of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest jumping for joy! Screaming guitars, clean vocals and a galloping "foot on the monitor" rhythm completes the immense traditional metal feel - 'Euphoria' picking up the baton and marching forth with a more anthemic feel than the previous song. That being said, 'Euphoria' does show bursts of power driven pace alongside the mid tempo march - a march that's in full flow as 'Heavy Weapons' (the album) bristles with more energy than ever courtesy of the chunky riffing Judas Priest like 'Metalista'. There's just no escaping the glorious old school sound and feel, 'Metalista' offering a sing a long chorus that every listener and concert goer are gonna scream as loud as they possibly can!    
             
The opening threesome have been incredibly infectious, Switchblade making it a foursome as 'Lost Lovers Unite' hits the airways with a lighter, almost power ballad feel, only for the band to slam listeners to the floor with a barrage of Black Sabbath like doom laden cuts and thrusts. And as 'Lost Lovers Unite' progresses, it continues its meander across metal land from one side right to the other - 'The Lost Kingdom' a two minute, atmospheric yet very heavy instrumental acting as a long intro to the ground shuddering 'Infernal Paradise'. And the return of the power driven heavy metal heard earlier, Switchblade maintaining the albums incredible eighties feel - and I for one know exactly how the eighties felt! For I was there, growing up as a teenager listening to all the greats - 'Maiden, 'Priest, Saxon, et al, re-write and re-invent the sound of heavy metal. And if I'm honest, the Israeli outfit would have been a perfect fit during those halcyon days for metal evolution!    
             
And oh my God, 'Curse Of The Father, Sins Of The Son' oozes a gigantic 'Maiden feel, going as far to replicate the bands infamous "gallop" - the pace and power here rising right off the charts! The most melodic metal song heard so far 'Curse Of The Father, Sins Of The Son' is infectious and catchy with one hell of a sing a long style chorus. The intensity of the album since it began has been top notch, keeping a tight hold on listeners attentions - 'Into The Unknown' presenting the biggest riffs ever, and a foot tapping rhythm that'll get every foot tapping! And I mean, every foot! It's a shame such a good album has to come to an end, but at least you can listen again and again, for 'Heavy Weapons' (the album) is deserving of multiple listens! The final song on offer 'Endless War', is also the fastest on offer, furiously galloping forth with immense purpose and intent! Not to mention the incredibly huge infectious level and the sing a long chorus - Switchblade delivering a fabulous finale to a barnstorming album of traditional foot on the monitor heavy metal. The eighties metal sound is well and truly still alive!    
             
Overall, a storming album full of NWOBHM influenced songs that will have fans of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest drooling. Traditional heavy metal at its best.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Switchblade    
             
             
Top