Oct 102 min read

Blitzkrieg - 'Blitzkrieg'

Definitely their most accomplished work to date.

The late seventies/early eighties were exciting times to be a budding metalhead here in the UK; the dawning of every week promising something new and exciting, as the NWOBHM kicked into top gear and flung the doors wide open - one such act to emerge was Blitzkrieg.

They were originally formed in Leicester in late 1980, when vocalist Brian Ross threw in his lot with a band called Split Image, a quick name change cementing the cornerstone of what would go on to become a cult legend. Hooking up with Neat Records (didn’t everybody?), they began to make quite the impression on a generation being raised on Kerrang!, and whilst they obviously never achieved anything like the levels of success of some of their contemporaries, they still left their indelible mark on those eager to follow in their footsteps... just ask Metallica!

Blitzkrieg have had a somewhat on again/off again career over the ensuing decades; sporadic bursts of action punctuated by a string of album releases, followed by lengthy periods of inactivity. They originally split when Ross threw in his lot with Satan to record the seminal ‘Court In The Act’ – but since hooking up with Mighty Music they seem to have gone from strength to strength.

Only Ross remains from the original band, but as this latest, self-titled release attests, his voice is still strong and powerful. Furthermore, he’s assembled a team of players/writers (including his guitar playing son, Alan) around him that sees their legacy being enriched by some of the strongest songs they’ve ever recorded.

A banshee wail of seismic riffs heralds the arrival of opener ‘You Won’t Take Me Alive’; a defiant clarion call-to-arms made all the more memorable by its rousing chorus and strong melodies. Like many of their contemporaries who have also resurfaced in more recent times, that (as in melody) is the key to what really makes this version of Blitzkrieg so vibrant and exciting. Much of the NWOBHM at the time was a celebration of enthusiasm over talent, but all those still doing the rounds now seem to have upped their game on the writing front immeasurably.

In addition, the visceral ‘The Spider’, booming ‘Dragon’s Eyes’, rumbling ‘Above The Law’ and epic ‘On Olympus High...’ all ring loud and proud and have the production to match their ambitions.

Definitely their most accomplished work to date.

Reviewer: Dave Cockett

Label: Mighty

Genre: Heavy Metal

Issue Reviewed In: 108

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