This is a band that I have actually been searching for for year now. I remember in my youth picking up a copy of a magazine that I’d never seen before or since, Thrasher I think it was called, and Striker were on the disc that came with it. Since then, I for some reason had never been able to find them again. That was, until we were emailed this album. So, to say that I’m excited is an understatement. Especially with how some of the singles are being described. Without further ado, let’s dive in, ladies and gents!
‘Circle of Evil’ opens the album in rather epic fashion, the start being an almost movie-score-like, halloween-esque soundscape. It then explodes into a fantastic thrash riff, an incredible lead working its way over the top, and the album immediately sets its tone. Dan Cleary’s soaring vocals soon come over the top of it, giving it a familiar NWOBHM feel. Even the melodies he’s hitting are very modern-day Iron Maiden, which I love and it fits so well with the music. It all builds to a huge, arena-filling chorus, sounding awesome and so catchy with the gang vocals. The duelling guitars to start the solo were insane, but then again the whole thing blew my mind hugely. It’s an amazing track in its own right, and one hell of a way to open an album and reintroduce me to the band! Playlisted!
Single ‘Best of the Best’ picks up right where the previous track left off. Opening on part of the chorus, the big riffing soon explodes in. However, interestingly, the guitars drop out in parts through the verse, and are replaced by synths. It’s an awesome sound and addition that gives it an immediate 80s feel. Between the campy lyrics and feel, it very much feels ripped from that time, borrowing from the likes of ‘Pump It’ and ‘To Be the Best’. Of course, the style of writing makes it another infectiously catchy track, too. And of course we got some more awesome guitar soloing in the middle. It’s a second straight track to make our playlist, this album is great so far!
The band have really front-loaded the album, with most recent single ‘Give it All’ up next. And, spoiler alert, the band are three for three on excellent, playlisted tracks. Long-time readers here will know exactly why too: I’m a whore for a saxophone. It’s used to perfection here right from the start, too. The track again has an 80s feel to it, but the sax adds another element of pop/jazz that fits all too well in the NWOBHM-style metal behind it.
It’s another cheesy track but in the best possible ways. And the vocals throughout are incredible. It gives off big glam/AOR vibes which I can’t get enough of. We even get a sax solo in the middle as well as a guitar one, which I just love. I’m gushing over the track a lot, I know, but damn, it may be my favourite song of the year so far. Incredible!
The first non-single of the album, ‘Blood Magic’ is still a great track, and a lot of fun. Having more of an epic western feel to it with the riffing, guitar tone and whistling, the band still inject their own infectious heaviness and energy over the top. And yet the synths still ground it in a very 80s, AOR style sound, too. And then, shockingly, we get an almost breakdown riff in the middle, accompanied by some tapping that would make Herman Lee blush. I can’t get over how not only creative, but ridiculously talented every member of this band are. It’s crazy, honestly. It’s yet another incredible track. They need to chill out or this is going to be a horribly cringy review!
Tracks like ‘Sucks to Suck’, ‘Ready for Anything’ and ‘City Calling’ lean heavily into the catchy, heavy AOR sound that the band have clearly perfected on this album. The huge vocal lines are just begging for a massive crowd to sing along with them, and the rest of the instrumentation is far too fantastic for the genre, typically. All three are fantastic tracks that I honestly can’t get enough of. They are simply rather similar to a couple of the previous tracks to analyse too deeply without repeating myself!
Sadly, ‘Turn the Lights Out’ was the first time I hit a slight wall with the album. It, and the following three tracks that finish out the album, are again kinda more of the same. It’s amazing familiarity, but familiarity all the same. The album started on such a high with the three best tracks on it and all this creativity in the first half, and then the second half, while still packed full of great tracks, kinda drops off and isn’t quite as memorable. Even just a shuffle round of the order may have stopped my fatigue. Even so, despite my negativity, I loved these other four tracks.
Overall: This is a really great album. Aforementioned issues aside, every track is incredible, there really isn’t a bad song on the album. Striker really are firing on all cylinders here, with every member of the band getting more than enough time to shine. It’s a party album through and through, that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’m so glad I’ve rediscovered them, and will be listening to this album a lot in the coming weeks and months. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s high on our Albums of the Year list, come December!
The Score: 9.5/10