I’ve quickly found that some of the best traditional metal I’ve heard in 2020 thus far have come from veteran players. Classic bands like Vandenberg and Mindless Sinner are still partying like its 1985. Even new bands like Australia’s Wicked Smile boast members who have been around the block a time or two. So does today’s featured band, Star Fighter. This international two man band features Ross Percy (Melbourne, Vitoria, Australia) on vocals and Steve Hays (San Francisco, California, US) on all instruments.
If you’re one of those pretentious posers who mocks anything remotely 80s related, get out of the way. Star Fighter blatantly pays tribute to the greatest decade in metal on their debut album, Metal Hero. And boy do they smoke while doing so. The album’s title track storms with the fury of a raging bull. We’ve got the production of early 80s Judas Priest, the vocals of Ronnie James Dio, and razor sharp guitar work. The next few songs continue this approach with some epic and power metal undertones peppered about. “Storm King” is a great example of this with its regal chorus.
“Princess of Darkness” signifies a shift in the album’s mood and style. My favorite track on here, it’s mid tempo and melodic. Imagine a meatier version of McAuley Schenker Group. I wouldn’t go as far to call it AOR, although the synthesizers and catchy chorus certainly give the impression it is. From here, the rest of Metal Hero is straightforward heavy metal/hard rock. “Live to Rock” is a fist pumping arena rock anthem. I could imagine the kids in Heavy Metal Parking Lot rocking out to this one before being treated to a set of sugary pop metal from Turbo era Priest.
“Jonestown” is dark and hard hitting with lyrics and riffs characteristic of Dio era Black Sabbath. I think it’d be more impactful of a closer than the instrumental “Epilogue (Star Fighter Theme)”. That said, one instrumental that doesn’t move me alone doesn’t outweigh 8 tracks of kickass throwback metal. If Star Fighter continues making music like this, their reputation as “metal heroes” is all but set in stone.
7 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Judas Priest, Dio, Saxon
Thank you Joe for the very kind words. Star Fighter is extremely grateful for people like you who give us the exposure we need. Keep Metal alive my Metal brother.
Steve