SIGN OF THE JACKAL (Ita) "Breaking The Spell" - Review - Dying Victims Productions 2018
SIGN OF THE JACKAL got formed in 2008, released a demo in 2008, an EP in 2011 and a full-length album in 2013.. after that, it looks like the band went on a hiatus and to tell the truth, i was saddened to think they could have splitted-up... 'cos having discovered them with the EP called "The Beyond" in 2011, i was absolutely under the spell of their powerful HARD-ROCK/HEAVY-METAL style, definitely rooted in the best tradition of the glorious 80's ! ... and two years ago, i heard of their return (which put a big smile on my face) and 2018 finally was the year of their return with a new and absolutely brilliant stunning album !
"Breaking The Spell" is in a word - nothing less than an essential album for every true HEAVY METAL worshippers, stuck into the eighties ! The album starts off with a with a synth-laden, lead-guitar filled instrumental intro with a brilliant gloomy atmosphere reminding of old horror movies - some similairites can be indeed found with "Without Warning" from DOKKEN on their "Tooth And Nails" album.. but.. who cares ? It's well-done and has the advantage of diving directly into the atmosphere - somewhere back in time when HEAVY METAL ruled the scene SUPREME ! I have to give a special mention to the production which is definitely "top-notch", 666% rooted in the 80's spirit.. I bet if you try a blind-test with friends, they would look for a 80's production - not something released in 2018 !
Musically, it's a mix of mid-tempo and fast songs, always with catchy choruses (THE kinda choruses that don't want to leave you head !!!), with great arrangements, killer guitar riffs here & there and always the need and the will to get you BANGING your HEAD like mad or RAISING FISTS in the air ! Both guitarists are delivering intense duels throughout the whole album, while the rythmical section is constantly HAMMERING.. impressive ! Imagine a mix of bands like Judas Priest, Warlock, Icon, Bitch, Acid... and I think you come pretty close to what SIGN OF THE JACKAL is all about.. authentic HEAVY METAL made and played with guts & passion, forged in the hottest furnaces of hell !!! All songs are simply jewels that follow each other perfectly and make you PROUD to be a HEAVY METAL MANIAC ! A word on the vocal style maybe ? Of course ! And this is a big part of the band's musical identity if you ask me ! Singer Laura has that powerful voice that sticks you to the wall when hearing it for the fist time.. the aggressiveness of Betsy BITCH and the sensuality of Lita FORD - if you don't succumb, you are deaf - simple as that !
In a word, I urge you to support this band, and buy the album which is in my opinion one of the hottest releases of the style in 2018 - it's your duty if you claim to be a HARDROCKER !
About author
Fabien, born 1969, grew up with the NWOBHM sounds, musically educated with cult french magazines that were ENFER and METAL ATTACK, definitely nailed to the style when "The Number Of The Beast" was released... From 1982, it was clear life would never be the same ! Young & getting wild to the sounds of SAXON, TRUST, ROCK GODDESS, VENOM, BLACK SABBATH, DIO, MOTORHEAD, AC/DC... the passion grew up as years went by ... Discovering later the new styles that are Speed/Thrash Metal, Death-Metal, Black-Metal, the fate was SEALED.. Born to Raise Hell, Rock Hard & Live his life according to the METAL rules!!!
{{ 'Comments (%count%)' | trans {count:count} }}
{{ 'Comments are closed.' | trans }}