Today’s album in review is one I’ve been anticipating for a long time. Back in 2019, I could not stop playing Midnight Spell’s debut demo, Between the Eyes. It was three original cuts of molten melodic metal that recalled the days of Scorpions, Y&T, and Grim Reaper, and a ripping cover of Savage’s “Berlin”. If I was going out of my way to run errands and knew I’d be in the car for a while, but not too long, this 4 track, 20 minute 80s metal throwback was my go to listen.
Fast forward to 2021. Like a beacon of light at the end of a black tunnel, Midnight Spell has returned with their debut full length, Sky Destroyer. On the surface, Midnight Spell channels the glory days of metal not just in their songs, but in their overall approach. Remember back in the 70s and 80s when all a band needed was 40 minutes and 8 or 9 songs to prove themselves? That’s exactly what we get here. Just because a band could fill an entire CD with music doesn’t mean they should, but that’s another rant for another day.
The melodic formula established on the demo continues with re-recordings of “Between the Eyes” and “To the Stars”, as well as “Lady of the Moonlight”. These songs have crunchy riffs and catchy choruses for days. They deal in hooks and melody the way fellow Miamian Tony Montana dealt in coke. Their “little friend” is the guitar duo of Denver Cooper and The Hammer, who exchange friendly fire like Tipton and Downing.
The rest of the album proves that there’s more to Midnight Spell than radio ready classic metal. “Blood for Blood” and the title track are exercises in true US steel, sounding like a cross between Sanctuary and Helstar. “Midnight Ride” is the obligatory speed metal track, while “Cemetery Queen” envelopes the listener with dark, sinister Mercyful Fate-isms.
Because of all the different styles explored on Sky Destroyer, some may criticize Midnight Spell for being unfocused. I beg to differ. After all, variety is the spice of life. I’ll take an 80s metal potpourri over the dime a dozen Priest/Maiden clones that have been clogging up the so called “NWOTHM” for too damn long.
7 out of 10
Label: Iron Oxide Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Scorpions, Y&T, Mercyful Fate