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SANDSTORM
Desert Warrior EP

Dying Victims Productions (2021)
Rating: 8/10

With a look that reeks of mid-80s low-budget stuffiness, this Vancouver-based clan releases its second EP, a four-track affair moulded by the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene and with strong hints of other nostalgic samples, whether in the form of aged Dio, or late-70s hard rock-cum-metal mysticism, almost doomy.

The opening title track ‘Desert Warrior’ dredges up some classy ‘Holy Diver’ semblances propelled by the uniquely named Reptile Anderson’s finely tuned warble.

Record labels such as Mausoleum Records were churning this sort of stuff out in droves in the murky mid-80s, yet it was rarely picked up except by collectors, but now, thanks to the joys of the internet, bands such as Sandstorm can be shared to a wider audience.

This trio certainly has it’s finger on the metal pulse when it comes to simplistic yet authentic sounding nostalgic metal. There are no gimmicks as such, just solid, well-oiled metal dynamics boosted by the fizzing yet nifty guitar tones of Stevie Whiteless whose cold steel rhythms churn with airy aplomb, evoking images of late-70s Accept, yet coated with a gloomy smog of British vapour.

Hats off also to drummer P.J. La Griffe – known to her mates as “The Butcher” – who thuds until her heart is content through that anthemic opening title cut.

‘Eat Me Alive’ gallops nicely – steely yet simple with its hissing percussion and that burning, soaring vocal display as Mr. Anderson pounds his chest and opens his throat to croon to the heavens. It’s glorious yet somehow understated metal boasting nice catchy choruses with tight musicianship that cannot be faulted.

Hordes of bands have been attempting this sort of nostalgic metal for the last 30 years, but many have failed and yet up pop Sandstorm, an unassuming bunch with know-how and talent resulting in four excellent devil’s ditties.

“When I was a young child I turned my head to the sky, and I saw Thor riding in his chariot of thunder” beams Anderson. It’s probably not true but damn, I’m right there next to him, reaching for those Heavy Load records and clasping my metal heart under pallid, leaden skies as ‘Evil Wins’ unravels with stormy, suspenseful atmosphere. The crack of thunder, the clatter of drums and then bass and guitar meeting like clashing swords as Sandstorm rumbles with more doomy strategies – the trio creating a mini epic of European stylings and the EP’s finest moment.

‘Power Of The Pyramids’ wraps things up with a nice atmospheric opening, before that simple metallic chug comes in with the band again providing that late-70s-cum-early-80s groove, but with flecks of, say, Mercyful Fate’s satanic mysticism. That really is the power here, a genuine occult and doomy landscape, and as Anderson asks “Have you ever felt the power of the pyramids?” I find myself nodding along, smothered by the probably unintentional stuffy atmosphere and glorious gloomy melodies.

If you’ve not heard Sandstorm before, then pick this and their 2019 EP Time To Strike up, and enjoy a brace of despairingly dark yet devilish releases sure to stoke the fires of the soul for many years to come.

Neil Arnold

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