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STALLION
Rise And Ride

High Roller (2014)
Rating: 8/10

Well, I think I have officially lost track of the amount of bands keeping the metal flag burning by revisiting their heroes and churning out what has been deemed revival metal. Thankfully, Stallion is one of the better bands when it comes to paying homage to traditional metal.

Maybe it’s because they are German that they are so good at what they do; after all, here is a nation that back in the 80s produced masters of its trade, and literally every day vomited out class metal act after class metal act.

I guess I could be considered somewhat a bear with a sore head when it comes to reviewing contemporary metal, because it seems to be very much divided into two parts; one division boasting acts of this accord where nostalgia is the key, while in the other instance we have that horrible glint of polished shine.

I guess growing up with 80s metal isn’t always a blessing because it makes one appear rather judgemental over anything remotely modern, but I’d certainly recommend Stallion’s debut full-length offering Rise And Ride to anyone. In spite of its shortcomings – and there are many – it makes for a rollicking listen, bridging that often trodden bridge between Iron Maiden and more so Judas Priest. Yep, there an overwhelming whiff of cheese to this ten-track affair, but I do like the vocal yelps of Pauly, and I’m also appreciative of the burning metal conjured up by the twin axe team of Oli Gee and Äxxl. Even if it the album gives off an odour of “heard it all before”, the sheer energy and obstinacy is enough to make it through the night.

‘Wild Stallions’ is typical of this breed of metal; a searing hot thrasher, which gives more than a nod to Priest’s classic Painkiller opus (1990) right down to the vocal snarl. With its speed metal values and fist-pumping chorus of blunt precision, there’s no doubting the blood, sweat and fury that emanates from Stallion, and what they lack in innovation they more than make up for with high velocity metal, and not once do they stop for breath. ‘Streets Of Sin’ is a mid-paced stomper, ‘Stigmatized’ is one fist to the mid-section of burning speed metal, and ‘Canadian Steele’ pretty much does everything is says on the tin. The only strange ingredient to this steely brew is ‘Wooden Horse’ with its Spanish sprigs but even so, Stallion delivers like all good metal bands should.

With chest-pounding choruses, high shrieks of belligerence and white hot guitars, Rise And Ride is one shot of revival metal you’re gonna relish.

Neil Arnold

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