N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday: Salem-Attrition

Dissonance Productions
2018

Formed back in 1980 and initially only active until 1983, Salem is a N.W.O.B.H.M./hard rock band that is lead by Simon Saxby (ex-Deep Fix). The forthcoming "Attrition" is Salem's third full-length album since reforming in 2010. Opening by way of the incredible title track (a real rock and roll gem that is as modern as it is vintage!), "Attrition" is the highly-anticipated follow-up to "Dark Days". Including the aforementioned title track, there are eleven tracks in all on Salem's new release. Having first covered this majestic metal/rock band back in late November of 2011, Salem has had some awesome material to be sure. Honestly all it took was one listen to the group's 2010 compilation, "In the Beginning...", for me to fall in love with this group's sound. With that long history in mind, "Attrition" is the best thing that I have ever heard from this veteran band! Thanks to the contributions of all of Salem's band-members, "Attrition" also holds the distinction of the being the most care-free and versatile release to date from Simon Saxby and company!! Speaking of which, Salem is rounded out by Paul Macnamara (guitars), Mark Allison (guitars), Ade Jenkinson (bass), and Paul Mendham (drums). While it is true that everyone has helped out in the past, Salem's new album shows a older band that is not afraid of growth. Wisdom comes with age and Salem seems to understand this more than any other band their age. Now more than ever Salem has evolved to fit the times. Overflowing with catchy hard rock numbers and mature AOR/melodic rock tunes, Salem has taken up a sound and style that could rule modern day rock radio. For some that might sound like a sell-out, but they would be greatly mistaken about Salem's new approach. There is nothing artificial about this album and Salem are not claiming to be anyone but themselves. When it comes to the hard rock smashers, heavy rockers and beautiful ballads on this album it is all Salem and all good! Times might be changing around them, but that hasn't stopped Salem from stepping up to the plate and knocking things out of the ballpark!! Amazingly enough Salem does all of this while still maintaining that core essence that first made people take notice of this talented act. As great as their new studio album is, Salem should be on every top ten list from Europe to here in the U.S. That might seem like a long ways off, but I simply cannot see a whole lot of heavy & heard rock albums being as golden as this release is. With a due date of February 23rd, "Attrition" is a must-have for fans of Salem and anybody that loves hard rock/melodic rock. The album runs over fifty minutes, but with one great track after another it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Between this perfect album and Robespierre's latest release, 2018 is going to be one hell of a year for N.W.O.B.H.M. fanatics!

Lizzies-Good Luck

The Sign Records
2016

Formed back in 2010 by Patricia Strutter (guitars) and Motorcycle Marina (bass), Lizzies is a on-the-rise  heavy rock/heavy metal band that hails from Madrid and is (fittingly enough!) named after one of the street gangs from the cult film "The Warriors" (1979). Lead singer Elena Zodiac and drummer Saray Sáez (The Screamin' Fish, Them Autumn Bones) round out this four-piece band that first made the scene with "Heavy Metal Warriors". The nine-song "Good Luck" is this Spanish band's unreal debut album and it was preceded in life by not just the aforementioned 2012 demo, but a 2013 EP entitled "End of Time" and last year's (stone cold killer!) single, "Viper". Skillfully-produced by Ola Ersfjord (Dead Lord, Tribulation, Primordial) at Moontower Studios in Terrassa and Cuervo Studios, "Good Luck" clocks in at just over thirty minutes and it features the amazing sounds of one young and enthusiastic band that wasn't just raised on classic rock and traditional heavy metal, but the whole N.W.O.B.H.M. scene! In addition to "Viper" and my personal favorite, "666 Miles" (which you can check out by clicking on it's official video below!), "Good Luck" is full of hard & heavy gems like "Night in Tokyo", "Speed on the Road", and "Russian Roulette". The album opens up strong with the really cool "Phoenix" (a gritty hard rocker that blends together Iron Maiden, Raven, and Girlschool!), and thanks to it's slick combination of catchy material and clever lyrics it keeps the momentum going until the very end! Available in digital format and on CD and vinyl, "Good Luck" is a fantastic debut from a hot new band that knows what's it's doing and where it wants to go. Ultimately I give this one a perfect 10 out of 10!!
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Snakewine-Serpent Kings

Phonector
2015

Formed in January of 2014, Snakewine is a underground German four-piece whose dirty & sweaty sound combines elements of heavy rock, hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal. "Serpent Kings" is the full-length debut album from this rock-infused band and it features the line-up of Ronny Konietzko (vox), Frank Vogel (lead guitar), Sebastian Welsch (bass), and Buddha (drum). The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Niklas Wenzel and it features eight hard living cuts that would have made Lemmy proud! Speaking of which, Motörhead is at one end of the spectrum (as far as influences go!) with the likes of Guns N' Roses, Dangerous Toys, Skid Row, Danko Jones, and even Danzig* sitting comfortably on the other end. Sure, you could argue that there is a lot more to this bands sound**, but either way it all adds up to one hell of a rock n' roll ride  that probably slays the beast live! With summer fast approaching you couldn't ask for a better soundtrack to the good times than  "Serpent Kings".



*The albums last cut, "Shipwrecked", sounds like a cool mash-up of early Danzig (as in his first solo record!), Guns N' Roses, and Motörhead.

**Listen in closely and you'll likely pick up on everyone from AC/DC and "Trash"-era Alice Cooper to Poison (if and only if Poison had been more influenced by Lemmy and company and they rocked a much heavier beat!!).

Blaak Heat-Shifting Mirrors

Svart Records
2016

With an expected due-date of April 15th, 2016, "Shifting Mirrors" is the latest release from the highly-innovative trio known as Blaak Heat. Formed in Paris, France in 2008 by vocalist/guitarist Thomas Bellier (ex-Spindrift), Blaak Heat began life as Blaak Heat Shujaa before a change in style and location lead to the new and improved moniker. Now somewhat fittingly based in Las Angeles, Blaak Heat is as warm and colorful as their new local woulds suggest with the avant-garde "Shifting Mirrors" obviously soaking up all of the imagination and creativity that L.A. has to offer. Without downplaying the hard and heavy nature of Blaak Heart's third album, "Shifting Mirrors" falls somewhere between desert/stoner rock and anything-goes psychedelic rock. Repeated listens are mandatory if you are to pick up on all of the subtle nuances of this unconventional album, but that's not an issue at all seeing as you are going to want to hit the repeat button on Blaak Heat's new album! This one is most definitely something different, but as always different can be a good thing!