Don’t get me wrong I love all genres of metal but there is just something about a band that captures that true 1980s metal sound that wins me over every time. Maybe it is because my parents got me to listen to way to much Scorpions and Lita Ford when I was younger or perhaps it was because the 1980s were my childhood when I discovered pop-culture, perhaps I’ll never know why but it was that love of the 1980s sound that had me so excited about the release of Beast In Black’s brand new album – From Hell With Love.
Their debut album from a couple of years ago, Berserker, introduced me to the vocals of Yannis Papadopoulos and I have been hooked ever since… seriously this guy is on the best vocalists going around. Then I saw the cover of From Hell With Love and my love of all things 1980s went into overdrive as it looked like something that should be a perfect pairing with the classic animation Heavy Metal – google it if you don’t know about it kids.
That 80s love was then quickly satisfied as the opening strains of ‘Cry Out For A Hero’ which sounds like it would be perfect for use in a heavy metal version of Dirty Dancing. Aside from that the track does make you realise just what a gem of a band Beast In Black really are. Everything seems to work in perfect unison and as the electronic start to the title track kicks in followed by some more of Papadopoulos’s amazing vocals you realise that Beast In Black have once again dropped a five star album.
No matter what Beast In Black try on this album it ends up being pure perfection. For those that love to listen to a catchy single there is the stunning ‘Sweet True Lies’ that has hit written all over it and then there is the soothing ballad, ‘Oceandeep,’ which makes use of the pan-pipes in such a way to add another element to the skills of the band.
That more classical/folk side of the band also raises it head on ‘This Is War’ while the brilliance of the guitar work of Anton Kabanen is there for all to hear on ‘Repentless’ which has even more atmosphere added to it by the backing vocals put together by a choir. The ever present electronic feel is also there making the track feel like it would nestle in nicely to a 1980s movie soundtrack.
Then comes ‘Die By The Blade’ which in my view will be one of the tracks of 2019. Some amazing song-writing produces the line ‘die by the blade of the one you love to hate with all your heart’ and the track itself becomes a classic. It is work like this that makes you wonder just how good Beast In Black will become over the years.
This album is just track full of sensational tracks – from the electronic robotic surprises of ‘Unlimited Sin’, to the dizzy heights reached on ‘No Surrender’ and the Scorpion-esque ‘Heart Of Steel’ this is an album that you instantly know that you will be listening to for years to come.
Second albums are supposed to really challenge bands especially when they have delivered something brilliant with their debut. Well I am here to say that Beserker was a good album, but From Hell With Love is even better. Yes everybody, Beast In Black have delivered a near perfect album.
