(Lion Music) Total Time 53:00
Besides DRAGONFORCE and BIOMECHANICAL the pure power mtal bands are endangered species at the UK. This is the reason why I was so surprised by the release of VENDETTA album. The “Tyranny Of Minority” is a 12 tracks album, full of traditional guitar oriented metal, or as we call it in our days power metal, or true metal. The influences are various, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, DIAMOND HEAD, early DEF LEPPARD, TYGERS OF PAN, Bay Area bands, like FORBIDDEN, HEATHEN, also bands like RIOT, and NWOBHM.
VENDETTA were formed in early 2006 by guitarist/vocalist Edward Box (an instrumentalist of considerable repute with 2 solo albums available on Lion Music) who wanted to broaden his musical base and return to the roots of his obsession - traditional metal. Along with guitarist Pete Thompson and bass player Gary Foalle were swiftly recruited and, in the absence of a permanent drummer, Ed called in the services of long-time Box stalwart Mick Robson to temporarily complete the line-up. After a big number of low key gigs, experience had taught them that this was not necessarily the best plan of attack. The mission was set - to make an album of classic metal anthems, one that would capture the essence of the music that had driven these men since their youths in the rain swept hills of Cumbria and the industrial wastes of the North East of England. You can hear their determination, in the pounding riffs, that remind of early METALLICA, MEGADETH born British. Give a good listen to songs like “All fall down” to understand what I am talking about. With the album complete the search was on for a permanent drummer with Chris Higgins recruited to the ranks.
“Tyranny Of Minority” is packed full of guitars with solo’s that trade off a la Tipton and Downing, in general great guitar work in the Chastain vein, with a taste of Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) riff o mania, harmonies and a wide range of different tonalities. After all Lions releases are all about musical expertise. Only this time the guys were raised on a strict diet of good old British Steel, with US overtones. Great vocals, melodic yet metal , bring the essence of a really good band that can stand and deliver without imitating or getting the listener bored. So this is another conformation that guitarists got also great voice and can run their own band better then an external singer. For me the combination of US power metal in the vein of LIZZY BORDEN and British NWOBHM bands like DIAMOND HEAD gives everyone some value for money music. This is a debut deserving your attention, time ad money, this is metal.
Essentially, “Tyranny of Minority” is the type of album you have blasting before you go out on a Friday night. It is the perfect way to get your metal weekend started! VENDETTA are on the warpath, hell bent on staking their claim in the pantheon of Metal. You're either for or against them, there's no in-between.
