BLACKSLASH - Sinister Lightning review

BLACKSLASH - Sinister Lightning

Iron Shield Records

http://www.blackslash-band.de/

It seems that heavy metal sound has reached a point where it can’t give birth to new ideas. In such circumstances and after much experimentation, it is logical the new generation of heavy metal musicians to turn back to the roots of this sound and draw their inspiration from there. It depends on them if this turning back can help heavy metal music to reinvent itself or we will stick to an endless repetition of the good old times. BLACKSLASH from Germany is a band of young heavy metal musicians that were formed in 2007 and “Sinister Lightning” is their sophomore album that comes two years after their debut release.

THE COVER: All of us that have grown up with MANOWAR and the comics of Conan the Barbarian and in general who love epic fantasy will enjoy this release. You can see in the middle of a wasteland a barbarian warrior (who looks like CONAN) with demonic red eyes in chains. The barbarian tries to break the chains but a wizard on his back strikes him with lightning. The expression on the barbarian’s face is a mixture of anger and pain. It is definitely a great heavy metal cover. I also want to note here that the letters that are used for the title of the album reminded me of SAVATAGE’s logo.

MUSICAL STYLE: BLACKSLASH might be a band from Germany, but their sound is closer to the British metal scene and yep you got it, they have a strong N.W.O.B.H.M. flavor. Their trademark is the twin lead guitar harmonies which are very melodic and yet dynamic and personally reminded me of IRON MAIDEN and secondarily THIN LIZZY. Also the band and probably because of the way that Clemens Haas (vocals) sings has also a U.S. metal touch and might remind you of MEDIEVAL STEEL. Finally the sound production is clear and dynamic and yet has this old school touch that fits to the whole music.

CONCLUSION: BLACKSLASH is a band that plays traditional heavy metal in the 80’s way with a good sense of melody. They might not bring something new with their sound, but their music is vivid and catchy. I think that people who are into classic metal won’t be disappointed if they give them a try.

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis