REVIEW: APRIL 16TH – Epitaph

 

APRIL 16^TH – Epitaph

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Regarding the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) movement, many noteworthy articles have been written, and rightfully so. This movement significantly altered the landscape of hard rock music, setting the standards for what we now recognize as classic heavy metal. It’s no coincidence that without this movement, bands like Metallica, Megadeth, and others might not exist today.

Beyond its influence, the movement is equally remarkable for its abundance of bands. It's not an exaggeration but a reality that even today, we continue to discover bands and their creations that were part of this musical movement. One such example is April 16th.

Formed in 1985 in London and disbanding in 1991 after six years, they managed to release a demo titled "Cherry Jam" in 1985 and their sole studio album "Sleepwalking" in 1988. This current release is a compilation featuring tracks from both the demo and the studio album.

Although the band emerged in 1985, their compositions sonically align more closely with the early period of the NWOBHM sound, reminiscent of the late '70s to early '80s. Simply put, their sound is dynamic, heavily featuring hard rock and occasionally rock 'n' roll elements. Some blues touches add even more detail and variety to their compositions.

Sonically, they can be likened to bands like Diamond Head, Crucifixion, early Judas Priest, and Demon. However, April 16th possesses a unique personality that sets them apart.

All 14 compositions included in this release are excellent, and not only do they not sound outdated or surpassed, but they maintain the same freshness as when they were first created. Without exaggeration, if these compositions had received more exposure when they were released, we would now be talking about classic songs (which they essentially are to the writer).

The choice of the title for this release may seem pessimistic, but the epitaph, according to Christian tradition, carries a message of hope and life. Similarly, this release preserves the band's legacy and gives new listeners the opportunity to hear these remarkable compositions. Especially for fans of the NWOBHM genre and classic '80s heavy metal sound, this is a release not to be missed.

Νικόλαος Παραστατίδης