Lancer 2013

"Another agent in the current Swedish wave of retro heavy metal, Lancer recently released their eponymous debut album, proving that old school metal is very much alive and still has a lot to offer (in fact, I think old school metal has more to offer than a lot of modern metal, but that is a discussion for another day).

Drawing in particular on NWoBHM, Lancer make extensive use of twin guitars on their debut album, which automatically scores them a lot of points in my book, since I am a sucker for twin guitar leads. With its use of classic metal chord progressions, galloping bass lines, and at times soaring vocals, there definitely seems to be a heavy Iron Maiden influence on the album, without Lancer being a bunch of copycats.

That being said, there is another dimension to Lancer's debut album, which is grounded in early European power metal (that is, before it became silly and cheesy). Specifically the chorus lines have the same epic and catchy feel to them as heard in Euro power metal, many of the vocal deliveries being, melody-wise, reminiscent of the two Kiske-fronted "Seven Keys" classics. Moreoever, several tracks have that typical Euro power metal energy - just check out 'Young and Alive', 'Dreamchasers', and 'Mr. Starlight', now that's how I like my Euro power metal.

Lancer's debut, with its traditional metal and early Euro-power metal aesthetics should appeal to both fans of classic metal and power metal fans who prefer the early kind of cheese-free power metal.

(review originally posted at metalmusicarchives.com)"