Salt Lake City’s rising stars, Blood Star, have delivered a scorching debut album titled “First Sighting,” solidifying their place in the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. Fronted by the formidable Madeline Smith and driven by guitarist Jamison Palmer (formerly of Visigoth), Blood Star wastes no time showcasing their brand of classic, riff-heavy metal with a modern edge.
“First Sighting” isn’t a marathon; it’s a focused eight-track sprint clocking in at a tight 33 minutes. Each song is a potent exploration of the genre’s core tenets – soaring vocals, shredding guitars, and pummeling drums. Tracks like “All For Nothing” and “Fearless Priestess” are testaments to Blood Star’s ability to craft catchy hooks that lodge themselves in your head long after the music stops.
The album isn’t all breakneck tempos and shredding solos. “The Observers,” featuring guest vocals from Palmer himself, takes a more measured approach, building a dark atmosphere before erupting into a powerful mid-section. “Cold Moon” offers a melancholic respite, showcasing Smith’s impressive vocal range, before launching back into the fray with the driving “Going Home.”
“First Sighting” is a thoroughly enjoyable album for fans of traditional metal. Blood Star doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but they deliver it with a level of passion and musicianship that’s both refreshing and invigorating. This is a band clearly influenced by the greats of the 80s, but they’ve managed to forge their own sonic identity within that well-established framework.
If you’re looking for a shot of pure, unadulterated heavy metal, look no further than Blood Star’s “First Sighting.” It’s a stellar debut that leaves you hungry for more.
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