SARASIN – Sarasin review

 SARASIN – Sarasin

Pure Steel Records

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SARASIN/155676316805

Usually the heavy metal bands release a demo or an EP and after they see that there are people interested in their music, they move on releasing a full length album. This is what happened with SARASIN with the difference that there is a huge time gap between the release of their EP and their debut full length album. In order to be more specific I have to mention here that the EP was released in 1987 under the title “Lay down your Guns” and their debut album will be released in February 2016. The line – up has changed through all these years and the only member from the original line – up is the guitarist Greg Boileau. So let us see what SARASIN has created under the influence of years that have passed by and with the assistance of the new line –up…

THE COVER: On the cover you can see an exotic representation of the ouroboros symbol. It is a symbol that first appeared in ancient Egypt and depicts a snake or a dragon (I think that the ouroboros on the SARASIN cover looks more like a dragon) who eats its own tail. It is a symbolism that something constantly recreates itself. It is the same idea like the phoenix that rises from the ashes. I think that it is a symbolism that you can easily understand, because the band after so many years of absence is back again and ready to redine itself.

MUSICAL STYLE: It is difficult after so many years to stay faithful to what you played in the 80’s, but it isn’t impossible. I haven’t listened to the previous work of the band, but their new release is an album that could easily have been released in the 80’s. Actually if they were not from Canada, I would say this is a band that comes from the early days of the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement. Their songs have the simple structure that you can meet in bands like HOLOCAUST or early JUDAS PRIEST mixed with melodies. I would also say that the singer, Michael Wilson, sometimes reminds me slightly of Ozzy. The band has some BLACK SABBATH touches too without ever entering the fields of doom or stoner metal.

CONCLUSION: It is really impressive that SARASIN managed to create a sound close to the 80’s metal era which proves that they never stopped to be true heavy metal fans, however this is not enough. In my opinion their new album though pleasant to listen to lacks in songs that manage to stay in my mind and even motivate me to listen to the album again in the near future. It is the typical well performed 80’s metal that has a strong N.W.O.B.H.M. flavor.

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis