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Maverick: Cold Star Dancer

Melodic Heavy Metal

4.0/5.0

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Metalapolis Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 21.03.2018

Formed some six years ago in Belfast by brothers Ryan (g) and David (v) Balfour, Maverick have already dropped two albums, 2014's Quid Pro Quo and 2016's Big Red. On the strength of the latter album, the band would tour with Swedish hard rock legends Treat in 2017. Now Maverick returns with their third long player Cold Star Dancer for Metalapolis Records.

Maverick

Once more we find Maverick developing their hybrid mixture of heavy metal and melodic hard rock, though I think this time around it leans more to the former. Most every song is built around sharp riffage, blistering solos, and a thick and thundering rhythm section. Yet these are tempered with Maverick's keen ability to inject melody, harmony, and groove into every arrangement, which gives their melodic heavy metal some sense of AOR accessibility.

You'll hear that latter quality clearly within Goodbye and Seize The Day, two of the best songs on the album. Heavy and faster songs come with Viper and Myrmidon; more heavy and steady songs with Ex Machina and Magellan Rise, both of which display that thick bottom end. For a bonus track, Maverick covers the Rick Springfield hit, Jessie's Girl. As you would expect from the rest of the album, it's turned into riff rousing heavy metal, yet without losing the song's catchy groove. All in all, with Cold Star Dancer Maverick delivers another roaring album heavy metal tempered by melodic hard rock accessibility and groove. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

With Cold Star Dancer, Maverick delivers another roaring album of heavy metal tempered by melodic hard rock accessibility and groove. Recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]