This week features a fine collection of music that reminds us all of a different decades. It's amazing what trends bands pick up who aren't old enough to be around the first time.
Glyder: Backroads to Byzantium
Despite the odd name for the album--the title suggests this might be a turgid concept album--this is typical hard rock fare. What struck me a few listens in is that the band have lost a bit of their Thin Lizzy vibe and added a dash of Diamond Head, no more so than on the opening track. The band's new singer from Northern Ireland has a Sean Harris quality to his voice. The band seems to have adapted their sound to mix well with the vocal style and its paid dividends. What has resulted is a more classic rock/NWOBHM sound than before. This is not a bad thing, as regular readers of this column wil tell you.
With one exceptin, Glyder has produced a consistent collection of songs that fit well into past output. The song "Down & Out" just completely kills the vibe and should have been left for last, or better yet not included at all. The departure of their previous frontman seems to have left the band unaffected at all. Whether this album will finally get the band the kudos they deserve is another question. Its just good stuff all around and no doubt will be a treat live. Glyder continues to develop with each release, and this one is no exception.
Quality hard rock is always a treat and Glyder fit that bill with aplomb. It's well worth checking out this autumn.
Lechery: In Fire
Lechery contains a bunch of Swedes, including an ex-member of Arch Enemy and a bunch of his mates from other metal bands. What they produce is a combination of Judas Priest and Germanic metal in the form of the Scorpions (old) and Accept. This is proper heavy metal with no apologies; these guys are doing it old school. Unlike on their first effort, which was more of a patchy affair, this time the band seems more together. Considering some of the stuff the band has been through since the first release, that is quite a surprise.
In Fire is not groundbreaking by any means, nor will it win any prizes for originality. It rises above the "all right" to pretty decent. However, if you are in the mood for some straight ahead metal, then you could do far worse than this release. There is nothing the slightest bit out of place or weak about the music on here. Clearly they understand the right elements for the music they want to create. As with many of these releases, it has a strong tinge of festival metal with enough chest-beating sing-along choruses to please the metal masses every summer. If you like your metal pure and simple, then this just might be just up your musical street.
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