Midas is one of those bands I’ve heard mentioned over the last couple years, but never actually listened to. It’s the same old story you’ve heard I and many others say about any number of bands that make a blip on the hard and heavy radar: “I’ve been meaning to check them out, but haven’t gotten around to it.” Well this past Friday marking the release of their debut self titled full length, and next week sees them playing Chicago’s very own Legions of Metal festival, so I figured I should become better acquainted with this mythologically named quartet.
Midas may be making metal for the 2020s, but their long haired, denim clad hearts lie somewhere between 1979 and 1982. This was made evident from the album’s opening track, “Slaves to the Night”. There’s nothing fancy to see here: Just meat and potatoes NWOBHM riffage with a rough and ready attitude. It’s simple, straightforward, and blatantly old school, with the production and spirit to match. If you had told me it was a lost 7 inch from 1980, I would’ve believed it. Furthermore, if you had told me the one-two punch of “Nobody Gets Out Alive” and “Hellfire” were lost Thin Lizzy cuts circa Chinatown, I also would’ve believed it.
From the twin guitar harmonies and mega hard rocking riffs, to the gritty vocals and tight knit rhythms, these dudes could very well be the world’s premiere Thin Lizzy worship band if they wanted to, I’m talking in the freakish way that Greta Van Fleet resembles Led Zeppelin. That said, it’s never good to corner yourself as a one trick pony, especially if you’re an up and coming band. Which is why Midas continues to expand their sonic palette on “Break the Chains”: An arena ready hard rock with underlying AOR tendencies. If there was a single off this album, this would be it.
The second half of Midas takes an intriguing dive further into the ancient worlds of the NWOBHM and early US power metal, with some songs flirting with both styles. “Eyes in the Cold” recalls the “go for the jugular” delivery of early Manowar or Jag Panzer. “Hell Has Frozen Over” balances both sides of the Atlantic, while “Running Scared” serves as the obligatory high speed headbanger, borrowing heavily from Motörhead, Diamond Head, and uhhhh…any other “-head” bands I’m missing? Closing it all out is the mini epic “Golden Chariots”, a song in which the guitars rule supreme, unleashing hefty riffs and heftier solos.
There are many who will be charmed by Midas in all their classic metal glory. They draw heavily from the “less is more” ideology, and are a welcome breath of fresh air in a world where the NWOTHM playing field is dominated by Priest and Maiden clones. There’s part of me that would love to hear what more they could do with the Thin Lizzy formula, but that’s only because I’m selfish and know damn well that John Sykes solo album ain’t coming out anytime soon. But hey, I’d love to be proven wrong! If anyone reading this has had any contact with Sykes in the past 30 years, feel free to direct him my way! If not, crank up some Midas and brace for Thunder and Lightning.
7 out of 10
Label: No Remorse Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Thin Lizzy, Diamond Head, Haunt