Serious Black
Vengeance Is Mine – AFM Records
Like a rabbit hypnotised by headlights the opening riff to Serious Black’s sixth album holds you spellbound. First salvo ‘Rock With Us Tonight’ is a raucous rocker that encapsulates all that’s great about power metal from the thunderous drums to the soaring vocals it’s a foot-on-the-monitor, horns-held-high, air guitar inducing metal fest that’ll have you cranking the volume up to 11 and annoying your neighbours (in the best way, of course). ‘Rock With Us Tonight’ is the invitation…and when the grooves are this good why on Earth would you refuse? This is a record that delivers a succession of powerful punches and even the obligatory power ballad ‘Ray Of Light’ hits hard. New singer Nikola Miji? has revitalised a band who were in danger of stagnating and his warm, luxurious tones breathe life into tracks such as ‘Fallen Hero’. There’s something very life-affirming about power metal when it’s played this well and if you were ever sent on an epic quest to save the universe this album would make the perfect soundtrack. Vengeance Is Mine isn’t breaking new ground but in terms of kick-ass metal, justice is served.
Review by Peter Dennis