These German trad-metallers have been releasing some quality metal since 2007 and their fifth full-length will most surely please all of their fans. The band’s line-up has remained intact since the beginning (which is a rarity nowadays!) and it shows, because each of their albums is slightly better than the previous one. Coming out almost three years after the latest album, Heroes, Saints & Fools once again catches the eye first with an amazing artwork by Dimitar Nikolov, showing yet another reincarnation of the band’s mascot. Things remain familiar with the first chords of the opening title track – a fantastic heavy metal hymn with amazing melodies and sharp guitar riffs. One more thing to point out are the great solos.
Tracks like Tokyo, Life After Death and The Watcher are obviously much influenced by Iron Maiden, especially in the chord progressions and repeated melodic patterns, but still, Blackslash manage to sound like themselves. There’s 50/50 distribution of influences from NWOBHM and the Euro power metal scene, with also a dose of German speed metal added in the bulk of the songs and the most distinguishable feature in this band are the vocals of Clemens Haas, who has delivered a stellar performance. You can’ help but headbang or sing-along to the super-catchy choruses of songs like Black Widow or Die By The Blade – these are made for live performances and the boys should be praised for their sense for a good melody and a memorable riff. Where Are We Heading To serves as more or less the album’s power ballad with its slower tempo and more melancholic mood.
Maniacs And Madmen finishes proceeding in style, speeding up the tempo once again and with one more fist-pumping chorus. The production is stellar, allowing every instrument to be easily distinguished and doing justice to the power and liveliness of these songs. While Blackslash are not offering anything unique, Heroes, Saints & Fools is easily their best album yet and an excellent selection of nine pure, classic heavy metal hymns meant to be played loud. These guys are following their path with no deviations in the course and are once again pleasing their followers with their tried and tested recipe for solid metal.
8/10
Heroes, Saints & Fools is out on January 31st and can be pre-ordered from HERE
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