SAINT - review added 15th March 2010
Album Review: Hell Blade (2010)
For fans of: Heavy Metal... and Judas Priest
Saint can trace their history back to the late 1970s when a band called Power Faith (later known as The Gentiles) were performing. Richard Lynch was managing the band, and also playing rhythm guitar and writing songs. By 1982 the band had folded, and the various members went their separate ways. Richard Lynch and drummer Gene McClindon, still with a desire to play heavy metal, created Saint. Vocalist Josh Kramer joined almost immediately, and the band soon released their debut EP, Warriors of the Son.
Now, well over 20 years later, the band are still hard at it. The present line-up (after many changes throughout the years) is Josh Kramer on vocals, Dee Harrington on guitars, Richard Lynch on bass and backing vocals, and Larry London on drums
The sound of Hell Blade is, er, basically Judas Priest. The vocals are very similar, and so is the musicianship. Josh Kramer doesn't hit the same big falsetto notes that Rob Halford manages, but his lower ranges are all but identical.
'(The Ascent)' is an intro, so opening-track-proper is 'The Blade'. It really is as Judas Priest as bald heads and an overabundance of leather. If you can get past the obvious derivative nature, it's actually a rather fine track. 'To The Cross' is decent too. It doesn't exactly push the boat out, but there's a reassuring solidity and familiarity to the track. 'Crying In The Night' is different. It has a non-serious feel to the riffs and chorus, and kind of sounds like a corny metal theme tune to a comedy show. I like it though, even if it is rather rough and ready.
'Hell Train' has an interesting lead riff, but the song itself is a dinosaur. 'Endless Night' is the same: cool opening guitar sound, but then it all starts to plod in a boring fashion. 'You & Me' thankfully picks up the tempo. It isn't a brilliant song, but it's more enjoyable than the previous couple of entries. 'New World Order' is good too, if disjointed. 'SinnerPeace' is another track with a good sound that's ultimately uninteresting. The title track comes last, and it's another comedic effort that's more about fun than technical brilliance.
It's not that Hell Blade is bad because it isn't; it just isn't great. The first few songs are fine, but then it all goes rapidly downhill. The big problem is that it's all so derivative and unoriginal. There's nothing new on the album. To be honest you can get a better example of the styles they use elsewhere. Recommended for die-hard heavy metal and Judas Priest lovers only.
Check out... Judas Priest instead.
Track List:
01. (The Ascent)
02. The Blade
03. To The Cross
04. Crying In The Night
05. Hell Train
06. Endless Night
07. You & Me
08. New World Order
09. SinnerPeace
10. Hell Blade
Label: Retroactive Records
Artist's website(s): Saint , MySpace
