Striker – Stand in the Fire
Release Date: February 5th, 2016
Label: Independent Release
Canadian NWOTHM kings Striker are back and this time around they have brought with them one of the most exciting metal albums of that I have heard in quite some time. For some reason, the band’s previous albums were enjoyable to me but just didn’t seem to make much of an impact but once “Phoenix Lights” kicked in, I suddenly felt floored, moved, and I just wanted to see myself up against a stage headbanging until I got a ravaging neckache. Just when I thought that this album couldn’t get any more kick ass, here comes “Out for Blood” with a sax solo. Yes, a fucking sax solo? Wuhhht?
Pulling from some really versatile and deep rooted early metal influences such as Def Leppard (when they had 10 arms and still kicked ass), Diamond Head, and Saxon just to name a few, Stand in the Fire is a sonically exciting album to listen to that never gets old. What I love the most about this album is that it is virtually impossible to pinpoint any one band that Striker sounds like or is emulating. Striker has managed to take so many elements of the classic 80’s metal honor roll and combine them into one big ass goulash of their own creating a sound that is all their own.
Stand in the Fire is a non-stop metal lovers masterpiece that is chockfull of endless riffage, shredtastic lead solos, and the over the top vocals of lead singer, Dan Cleary. It’s music, songs, delivery, and production like this that made me fall in love with heavy metal music in the first place so hearing Stand in the Fire is like coming around full circle. Stand in the Fire has without a doubt solidified Striker as the reigning kings of the NWOTHM movement in my book. Had this album come out back in the 80’s I could see this one being a total game changer in the world of heavy metal but hey, better late than never right?
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