Frontiers has long been responsible for curating projects and collaborations that metalheads have either A. Only dreamed of, or B. Didn’t know they needed in their life. The subject of today’s review falls into the latter. Black Eye is the latest melodic metal outfit on the Frontiers label. Fronting the band is longtime Pink Cream 69 (I always giggle when reading, saying, or typing that name) singer David Readman. Backing him up is a cast of usual suspects: Edge of Forever guitarist Aldo Lonobile, Doro guitarist Luca Princiotta, DGM bassist Andrea Arcangeli, and veteran drummer David Folchitto. All that’s missing from the bunch is Mr. ADV (those in the melodic metal/rock community know).
Upon initial inspection, the music that makes up Black Eye’s self titled debut is about as predictable as the cast who created it: straightforward melodic metal that occasionally flirts with power metal tropes. This isn’t a criticism so much as it’s an observation. There’s nothing wrong with being “formulaic” as long as the formula is executed with flair and enthusiasm. The musical professionalism of this troupe certainly helps as well, even if the songwriting occasionally tends to be lacking in certain areas, which aside from the sluggish balladry of “Midnight Sunset” and perhaps a couple other songs, it really isn’t.
“The Hurricane” opens things with a bang in all its melodic glory. Ferocious riffs, subtle synths, the rhyming of “fire” with “desire”: If this type of metal is your cup of tea, get ready to drink up. Throughout Black Eye are nods to the genre’s forefathers, Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Yngwie Malmsteen, early 90s Helloween, etc., but that’s to be expected. Whether it’s the symphonic flourishes of “Space Travel”, anthemic spirit of “Break the Chains”, or borderline neoclassical tendencies of “Darkest Night”, Black Eye is unabashedly old school in delivery and approach, with zero regard for today’s current trends.
There’s an underlying power metal influence throughout this entire album, particularly within the riffs and solos, but it’s during the second half that this influence goes from “underlying” to “prevalent”. The thrashing guitars, double bass drum overload, and grandiose production of “Under Enemy’s Fire” isn’t too far off from the crop that dominates Wacken’s lineup these days, nor is the high speed “Don’t Trust Anyone” or compelling “When You’re Gone”. Perhaps these songs were lying around during the sessions for New Horizon’s (H.E.A.T’s power metal pet project) debut album, because they definitely sound similar in arrangement and delivery.
Time will tell if Black Eye lives to see a second outing or dies quietly behind the recording studio window. Knowing the supersonic onslaught that is David Readman’s voice, I doubt they’ll settle for the latter. With just the right amount of tweaking, Black Eye could potentially become this decade’s Sunstorm or Place Vendome. That puts them in a very specific niche, but hey, if you’re already familiar with this fare, Black Eye will make some enjoyable, albeit conventional, listening.
6 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Melodic Heavy Metal
For fans of: Pink Cream 69, Yngwie Malmsteen, Helloween