Wow, is this ‘Defenders of the Faith pt.2’? Obviously, the cover art of classic metal band THELEMITE new CD titled “Survival Of The Fittest” is a homage to that Judas Priest mighty album. And there’s a reason: THELEMITE’s music is rooted in true ’80s metal / hard rock style.
It is always good to see honest advertising. It is very satisfying to receive exactly what a record label promises. Press release said Greeks Thelemite vow to play some classic heavy metal and they certainly do that. Further, it garners respect when someone acknowledges the classics and worships them in a competent, coherent manner. When you are not original, it is rather candid to announce your influences from the get go and proceed from there.
“Survival Of The Fittest”, the third album by the Greeks, takes the old-school sound from the NWoBHM, but not only melodic metal, also the hard rock sound from the era.
Solid classic metal riffs and rousing choruses, harmonized bridges, screaming solos, and a vocalist that seems to have taken lesson from Rob Halford and Chris Troy from Praying Mantis, is a winning formula no matter how you slice it. Deliver this proficiently, in a skilled fashion, and you have a good album.
“Survival Of The Fittest” songs are short (except closer Visions From The Past which as some nice progressive touches), punchy and fly out like quick heavy metal bravados. Some tracks display a hard rocking groove but not loosing the edge and the vintage style. The band try a more doom sound ala Black Sabbath on the song ‘Nwo’, and there’s a couple of ballads – metal ballads – arranged & performed in the old-fashioned way.
“Survival Of The Fittest” is versatile chunk of metal, good old-school melodic metal / hard rock, very solin in songwriting and perfectly executed obtaining that ‘retro feel’. The amount of variety they’re pulling from within metal offers plenty of appeal, so if you like classic ’80s rock you’ll love THELEMITE.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
01. NIGHT OF THE WOLF (4:52)
02. BLACK HEARTED (4:06)
03. NWO (3:58)
04. THE FIRE STILL BURNS (4:18)
05. BAD FOR YOU (4:26)
06. LIVING WITHOUT YOU (5:04)
07. WHITE DREAMS (4:19)
08. IN A DAMAGED BRAIN (4:22)
09. ALREADY DEAD (4:45)
10. MAKING LOVE (3:40)
11. VISIONS FROM THE PAST (6:54)
Thelemite – Survival Of The Fittest (2023)
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