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[ More Music Reviews ]

Redline: Gods & Monsters

Heavy Metal Rock

4.5/5.0

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Escape Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 13.11.2019 | Released: 22.11.2019

Really? Has it been seven years since we heard from Birmingham's Redline? That's way too long to have a new album from this talented traditional heavy metal band. But the passage of time hasn't been uneventful. The song King Of The Mountain from 2012's Vice has become the official soundtrack to Isle Of Man TT Motorcycle Races. Also, the band has brought on new guitarist Chris Basener, who has released several solo albums and written books on guitar technique. According to the band, he's been a fresh contributor in the songwriting process. Now Redline drops their third studio album, Gods & Monsters, once more for the Escape Music label.

Redline

And once more, Redline delivers their 21st century version of "keep it true" heavy metal. If you like your traditional metal in a range from Iron Maiden to DIO to Judas Priest, you will dig this album. Vocalist Kez Taylor channels more than a little bit of Ronnie James and Rob Halford. Otherwise, Redline nails the classic heavy metal formula with twin guitar harmony in the riffage, epic guitar solos and, from the rhythm section, essential groove, and when necessary, some fiesty gallop. Whether it's Ade Yeomans or new guy, Chris Basener, you'll find their fret work exciting and soaring. If you love guitar-forward metal and killer guitar solos Redline is your band. Now, let's visit some of the songs.

For some speedier heavy metal rock listen for Empires, Killer, Take It To The Grave, and Stand And Fight. Similar in tempo is Dark City, but the song is led from the start by the bass and drums, before the riffs kick in and a rock groove starts rolling. More steady heavy metal comes with Prayer For The Dying and Nowhere Man, yet I found the former tune somewhat plodding in nature. For Fields Of Fire, Redline mellows a tad for a lighter, yet rising, metal anthem with an epic solo to finish. At the end, guitars rule the instrumental 332, with more then a few fiery leads throughout. Essentially, with Gods & Monsters, Redline delivers another exciting and entertaining album of classic, guitar-forward, heavy metal rock. Easily recommended.

Nocturnalia: III - Winter

Melodic Hard Rock

3.5/5.0

After a short three year hiatus, while band members pursued varied and different projects, Sweden's Nocturnalia returns to offer their third long player, aptly titled ... [ Read More ]

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

Essentially, with Gods & Monsters, Redline delivers another exciting and entertaining album of classic, guitar-forward, heavy metal rock. Easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]