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R.U.S.T.: Forged in the Fire of Metal
R.U.S.T. Forged in the Fire of Metal album new music review

R.U.S.T.: Forged in the Fire of Metal

Heavy Metal
3.5/5.0

Independent/Unsigned
Website MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  07.31.2011

While not signed to Pitch Black Records, RUST is a local band getting the international push from the Cyprus-based label. Considering the album title Forged in the Fire of Metal and artwork, you can likely guess what lies within. Yeah, this is old school melodic heavy metal, circa 1984, with echoes of Accept, Saxon, Anvil, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden to name a few obvious influences.

Like those early tape trading days, Forged in the Fire of Metal is mostly a DIY project; there's rather rough and raw edge to the production, but minimalist might be the better word. After this, if you dig lots of burning guitar work, this album is filled with it from beginning to end. The metal is merged with both heaviness and melody, enough for fist pumping accessibility. Add the vocals of Tasos Karonias, who sounds like a strange amalgamation of Paul Stanley with Halford and Dickinson, and you have all the makings of an Eighties metal reincarnation.

Largely, and with likely no apology, the songs of Forged in the Fire of Metal anthems to rock and metal: Metal Child, We are Rock n Roll, In the Streets of Rock n Roll, Straight to the Top, and the title track speak to the theme. Most are fast paced with Karonias offering traditional metal wails, and Panagiotis Xanthou and Adamos Adamou ripping it up on guitar. Yet, RUST is most expressive and creative with genuine variation on Lady of the Lake and Queen of the Amazons, the latter reminding of Iron Maiden. Yet, while derivative of the genre even metal ode Forged in the Fire of Metal is epic and character and brimming with feisty fret work. All in all, despite the rough production, sometimes choppy vocal arrangements, and nearly predictable direction, Forged in the Fire of Metal is a solid start for this fine band.

For Eighties old school melodic heavy metal, R.U.S.T. and their self-produced debut album, Forged in the Fire of Metal is the real deal. Fans of this classic genre should find this album a worthy addition to their modern library.






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In Short

For Eighties old school melodic heavy metal, R.U.S.T. and their self-produced debut album, Forged in the Fire of Metal is the real deal. Fans of this classic genre should find this album a worthy addition to their modern library.

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