There is a certain elite crop within the so called NWOTHM (still cringing at that tag in 2023) who are so collectively loved that even their side projects are fawned over. Look no further than Eternal Champion, whose melodic metal alter egos, Sumerlands, made their way to the top of our best of 2022 list. Another band this applies to is Utah based power metallers, Visigoth, who over the course of a decade or so have established themselves as an up and coming headliner in this scene. So when guitarist Jamison Palmer announced the formation of a new outfit, Blood Star, those in the know took notice.
Their debut single, “The Fear”, quickly established them as a force to be reckoned with. One couldn’t help but notice the subtle nods to the NWOBHM and early 80s metal/hard rock as a whole. These influences were further confirmed with their faithful renditions of hymns like Dokken’s “Paris is Burning” and Uriah Heep’s “Too Scared to Run”. And as somebody who considers Abominog to be Heep’s finest hour, the latter made me as happy as a clam. I couldn’t wait to hear what this band had in store in terms of a full length.
Fast forward a few years later and I’ve gotten my answer. First Sighting is here and wastes no time cutting to the chase. This isn’t power metal or speed metal or epic metal or any other bastardization of traditional metal that most of the NWOTHM crop can be filed under. This is pure heavy metal done early ’80s style, with emphasis on hooks and melody. And it is executed with sheer effortlessness. The opening “All for Nothing” establishes the formula from the get go: Energetic riffing, an explosive rhythm section, and fiery vocals. There’s moments of NWOBHM glory, yes, but also an anthemic bravado reminiscent of early Pat Benatar.
The hard and heavy onslaught continues on cuts like the ultra catchy “Fearless Priestess” and radical “Going Home”. The dreamy “The Observers” sees Palmer assuming vocals, delivering a performance that practically borders on early AOR, but is still metal through and through. Bonafide headbangers like “No One Wins” and “Wait to Die” crank up the speed without sacrificing the hooks. However, it’s the Rainbow-esque “Cold Moon” that steals the show. With its enchanting melodies, picturesque lyricism, and fierce gallop, “Cold Moon” is bound to become a true metal staple of the 20s, checking off all those retro boxes.
I know I’m in the minority here, but the same way Sumerlands’ Dreamkiller eclipses Eternal Champion’s output, First Sighting does the same with Visigoth’s. This isn’t to take away from either band’s contributions to the traditional metal scene, but in a decade where we’ve been barraged by power and epic metal bands, it’s refreshing to see some acts strip it down to a simpler time when metal was just finding its sea legs. If Blood Star had formed 40 years ago, they would’ve been one of the many acts with a major label deal and shared space on your record shelves between “Black Sabbath” and “Blue Öyster Cult” (that is if you alphabetize). If that description doesn’t catch your attention, I’m not sure what will.
9 out of 10
Label: Shadow Kingdom Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Sanhedrin, Midnight Dice, Sumerlands