Slingblade-The Unpredictable Deeds Of Molly Black

High Roller Records
2011

Female-fronted Slingblade hail from Stockholm and were formed in 2009. The band released their debut 7" single on High Roller Records the following year. This past November the group issued their debut album creating quite a bit of underground buzz. Seeing as it is on High Roller Records you just had to know that "The Unpredictable Deeds Of Molly Black" would be classic metal. While early comparisons have been made to NWOBHM groups like Girlschool and Rock Goddess it would be safe to say that there is more of a traditional heavy metal sound to be found with Slingblade. It is easy enough to point out other female-fronted heavy metal acts like Girschool, Satanic Rites, Rock Goddess, Taist Of Iron, Warlock or Hellion as a way to try to pinpoint the sound. Especially since in Slingblade's music one does tend to pick up on those sounds as well as older acts like Coven. But for a band like this that has made it their mission to create an album similar in nature to a King Diamond album there is so much more. Warlord, Malice, Obsession, Accept and even the classics like Rainbow/Dio/Saxon/Iron Maiden/Judas Priest have helped shape Slingblade. I'd even wager to say artists as diverse as Grace Slick have helped shape this group. For a band like this to survive in 2012 there obviously has to be more and Slingblade have that little edge thanks to the detail oriented nature of their sound. Getting back to the King Diamond bit for a second with this new album Slingblade has created a ten song conceptual album that is highlighted by the sensual vocals of Kristina Karlsson. With all the songs making up the story it is almost as if your listening to Kristina tell you this dark and twisted tale on a cold, dark and stormy night. You get caught up in it and become a part of a story that is chilling. It does have the feeling of an old King Diamond or Merciful Fate album where you get those shivers. You know where you have the feeling that things are not quite. Fan's of traditional minded heavy metal will want to hunt this release down. It is well-crafted, features a wonderful production job and has a sincere nature to it that will leave you longing for more.