Striker : “self titled” CD Feb 24th 2017 Record Breaking Records. Canada Heavy Metal band. Have been also nominated for a 2017 “Western Canadian Music Award” for “Metal / Hard Rock Artist of Year”. They deserve it for sure. I must say they kicked my ass , this new album is less convincing for me though. Amazing artwork and no album title which for the band is not necessary as we now them, yet it’s always cool to have one that usually gets a mark for the story. The thing here is I wonder if this is double mini albums in one such the songs are really different.
The first track shouldn’t be first to me, although it gives an 80’s touch reminding the days of Twisted Sister, Warrant etc…it didn’t convinced me to like the album much (hearing ten times “I’m back” ) until I heard the second track. The second track has a groovy Thrash power in the vein of Mordred as the 5th one with a Bass intro and great solo reminding the early days of Anthrax (Belladona vocals), the 7th with Heavy Pounding tunes and great intro.
So I’m divided between songs, I would play them differently as they don’t sound to belong like a normal album does. No doubt it’s kicking but too much reverb on the voice kinda gets my nerve, some songs are more powerful than others. Striker will surely get songs more played live than others. Great musicians playing great music it will surely gets a wide audience and fans will love it 96/100.