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LYZZÄRD
The Abyss

Fighter (2022)
Rating: 7.5/10

It’s good to see the country of Portugal producing some might fine metal mayhem in the form of Porto’s Lyzzärd. The Abyss is the second full-length outing from these rockers who have been around for nearly ten years.

There is some really cool and fiery throwback metal doing the rounds at the moment, so slot these fully-armoured, fist-pumping maniacs in the volcano as well and watch them all explode into the stratosphere as glitter-laced fireworks. The old school production means that The Abyss gallops its way through the mist like old Iron Maiden meets Mercyful Fate… that trundling no frills dynamic metal that has you reaching for the sword n’ sorcery books on the stroke of midnight.

The title track, alongside the likes of ‘Red Hot’, ‘Agents Of Death’ and ‘Jailbreaker’ have the grace of a rusty chain being swirled around to swat away the circling bats. Vocalist Tiago Quelhas Azevedo has an interesting albeit slightly off-key tone particularly with the higher notes, but it adds to the effect of this rather fluid gem of a record that provides timely solos delivered in typical New Wave Of British Heavy Metal fashion.

‘From The Blade To The Grave’ and ‘Resistance’ are a top notch brace of metal anthems where again the guitar sound is key, striking a chord with stark melody to the hiss of the cymbals with both tracks serving up a degree of menace, particularly the latter cut with its almost doomy nuances.

This is good, solid metal all round as the combo successfully navigates the murky waters of retro metal and brings us safely to shore to stand before the glittering kingdom built decades before by the kings that bands such as Lyzzärd worship.

Neil Arnold

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