The Deep-Premonition

Artwork courtesy of CadiesArt

Self-release/Independent
2015

It's taken band members Tony Coldham (lead vocals), Paul Smith (guitars and vocals), Mick Feleppa (guitars and vocals), Don Whiberley (bass and vocals) and Steve Kingsley (drums and percussion) a few years, but they have done it. They have pulled it off and then some. All of the hard work and perseverance has paid off for The Deep as their upcoming debut album, "Premonition", is everything that the band and their fans could have hoped for. Let's just be clear of that from the very start and state the obvious and that would be that for N.W.O.B.H.M./traditional heavy metal band The Deep the 10-track "Premonition" is as near a classic as you can get! British hard rock and heavy metal fans as well as N.W.O.B.H.M. collectors of old and new should look towards this band from London and give thanks as this is how it should be down. This is how you issue a long-awaited full-length debut album and for a band that can trace it's roots all the way back to to the early 80's (and even sooner if you'd like) and the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene (vocalist Tony Coldham alone has ties to bands like Minas Tirith, Ocean, Strutt, Airrace, The Rodford Files, GMD and of course Deep Machine!) this is one remarkable collection of tracks that glistens with youthful enthusiasm while simultaneously pulling off that oh-so-familiar/well-loved classic British metal vibe! For The Deep (who I had the privileged of interviewing back in April of last year*) 2015's "Premonition" is proof that they've come a long way since the release of their 2013 demo (http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-deep-demo-2013.html) while showing the world that said demo was far from a fluke! Of the ten tracks on "Premonition" six are new to this recording while the following four tracks ("The Rider", All I Want", "Spellbound" and the title cut) all appeared on the group's 2013 demo. "The Rider" was actually my favorite number from the group's previous demo and as the opening number on "Premonition" it really sets the stage right. From there you are greeted warming by "You Take My Breath Away" which is a rugged heavy rocker with a smooth A.O.R. after-coat!With new songs such as "Nightstalker", "Cold Hearted" and "Out Of Touch" filling the gap between 2013's demo material and now you end up with a LP that is consistent enough as far as quality of product is concerned while (style-wise) it offers something from everyone. For example let's cue up the tracks "Nightstalker" and "Saga". While the former is A.O.R. done right (I absolutely LOVE how it starts of subtle and then picks up steam! And the slick lead guitar work? Don't even get me started!!) the latter could almost be seen as The Deep's take on epic metal! Both songs have the same great quality while showing off two different and distinct sides of this respectable London band! And as far as the re-recorded material here is concerned? Well, it's not just "The Rider" that stands out! The title cut alone is slick and absolutely sick it as harkens back to the N.W.O.B.H.M. days. "Spellbound" is just good hard rock as is "All I Want". Collectively this London act works the lines between the old and the new making heavy yet tuneful material with multi-generational appeal. From "The Rider" up to and including album closer "Turn Me Loose", "Premonition" works it's magic as it entertains listeners and outperforms the competition. Everyone from the vocalist to the drummer is on their A Game here with "Premonition" achieving top marks all around. This LP left me happy as could be and it offered assurance that 2015 is going to be another good year for heavy metal fans!

You can find London's The Deep online here: https://www.facebook.com/TheDeepUK

*Interview with The Deep:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2014/04/interview-with-nwobhm-band-deep.html


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