Il portale della musica Heavy Metal

recensione

There’s a dark future somewhere out there (even if Cirith Ungol are still performing!), cities ruled by gang, acid rains but lack of water, greed in the streets, cruel manhunts turned into TV shows, all filled by a post nuclear insane atmosphere… Well, Dexter Ward is fighting in those streets, trying to enlight the existence of the Heavy Metal Youth!
“Neon Lights”, that’s the title of the amazing debut album forged by this five piece greek band, is just a concentrate of shining US Metal, riffs and solos sound like rivers of steel, solid rhythm section and finally, warlike litanies, sung by the Italian frontman Mark Dexter, former Battleroar singer, who built this dream with another ex-Roar, the axeman Manolis Karazeris.
This is a “just killer, no filler!” album, ‘cause in each of the nine canticles (intro included!), you will find what we deserve, supreme anthems in an US way, 100% Heavy Metal lyrics and a melodic mood that leads the listeners to push “play” again when the cd stops!
“Metal Rites” is an uncompromising mid tempo, with an obsessive refrain in which Mark shows us his interpretative abilities, speedin’ up with “Ghost Rider” is not a crime, because a Judas Priest flavour surrounds this brilliant tune, with another three-pointer shot by Mr. Ward!
No time to breathe, another granitic hymn is coming, “Evil Nightmares”, helped by the thundering fingers of John Luna Tsimas, followed by an Epic song on Vikings, “Return Of The Longship”, the classic one supposed to be screamed louder and louder by tons of Metal Kids.
“Youngblood” (along with “Double Dragon”, one of the two numbers contained in the “2010 Promo” and also in the “Antarctic Dream” Ep), another gem that in a Stars And Stripes 80’s hi-fi would never be put out, reveals the ability of the five guys to elevate melody on an higher level, that’s just one of the best vocals lines of the last ten (maybe more?) years, try this experience, please!
Time for a blackout, not concerning quality of course, “Blackout In L.A.” breaks the tension with a “concrete feeling” strong enough to let us hope once more and to force me writing about the Akis Pastras solos that are only one of the uncountable reasons to BUY this “Neon Lights” cd!
Another Dexter Ward “classic” is ripping our speakers off, introduced by a drum ‘n’ bass short intro, we’ll immediately “fight for justice in the streets” under the sing of “Double Dragon”, an hit that fit perfectly the theme of the album, well painted upon the Dimitar Nikolov cover!
Unfortunately, like most of the best things in life, this underground masterpiece is getting to an heroic end, but with “Back To Saigon” we can touch the essence of US Metal itself, a jewel that John J. Rambo and Colonel J. Braddock would be proud to learn!
In these eight minutes song the typical and romantic scenario of the US pride is defined, being a fan of this “pop” culture since I washed the milk away from my face, make me hail Dexter Ward once more for written such an emotional and heartfelt tribute.
Finally, a buy or die records for those who love the pure US Metal sound, I’m giving up soon with my passionate review, but be sure that the Dexter Ward A-Team will never give in, rescuing ‘em all!

Recensione di Alessio Aondio

tracklist

1. Neon Lights
2. Metal Rites
3. Ghost Rider
4. Evil Nightmares
5. Return of the Longships
6. Youngblood
7. Blackout in L.A.
8. Double Dragon
9. Back to Saigon