If you’ve ever wondered what Scorpions would’ve sounded like had Uli Jon Roth never left the band, the answer lies within traditional metal supergroup Mirror. Formed in 2015 by former Electric Wizard bassist Tas and Klaus Meine vocal doppelganger Jimmy Mavrommatis, the band has amazingly picked up where the Teutonic titans left off on 1977’s Taken by Force. Now to call Mirror purely a Scorpions clone would be a disservice. They also touch upon facets of the NWOBHM and prime Mercyful Fate, creating a sound that’s wickedly wonderful.
On their latest album, The Day Bastard Leaders Die, Mirror continue their quest for late 70s/early 80s metal worship dominion, throwing their figurative hat into a ring of fire, and I ain’t talking the Johnny Cash kind. From the opening raw, rapid gallop riff fest that is “Infernal Deceiver”, Mirror comes storming out of the gate, ready to kick ass and take names. It’s a gripping and hard hitting rager of a track, the first of many that we’re treated to throughout the release. Contrasting this are cuts like “Souls of Megiddo” and “Demon Candles”: infernal hymns that combine the dramatic intensity of 70s Scorpions and diabolical atmosphere of Mercyful Fate.
Whereas most NWOBHM worshippers safely follow the straightforward Saxon template, Mirror draws inspiration from the darker side of the scene. Tracks like “All Streets Are Evil” and “Stand Fight Victory” channel such legends as Angel Witch, Satan, and Witchfynde. In fact, I’d say “All Streets Are Evil” sounds like a twisted, more barbaric spin on The Number of the Beast era Iron Maiden. And speaking of twisted, barbaric metal, the full throttle headbangers that are “Fire and Hell” and “Sleep Eyes of Death” are guaranteed to blow your head clean off. If you’ve got a need for speed to feed, these blindingly fast bangers will make you bleed!
Closing it all out is the obligatory epic title track. I say “obligatory” because it seems most bands these days close things out with a 5+ minute grand finale. This approach isn’t necessarily Mirror’s forte, but they make it work on this 7 and a half minute prog doom tour de force. Its heavy handed riffs and compelling lyrics make for a thrilling end to this unrelenting beast of an album. Mavrommatis shouts and shrieks his way through it all with unwavering urgency. Folks, if Scorpions were to ever soldier on without Meine for whatever reason or another, Mavrommatis would be the guy to take his place.
Yet again, Mirror have managed to knock it out of the ballpark with a traditional metal album that pays tribute to the genre’s past without coming off as cliché or banal. Call them true, call them orthodox, call them old fashioned: It’s what they are and they’re damn proud of it! There’s no doubt that whenever Mirror makes their presence known, we’re all put In Trance…wait, wrong band again! In all seriousness though, two stellar Scorpions albums in one year? I’ll take it!
8 out of 10
Label: Cruz del Sur Music
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Scorpions, Mercyful Fate, Satan