• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Blood of the Sun have been around for 10 years, playing the kind of late 70s Heavy Rock on which the NWOBHM and what we think of as Heavy Metal today is based. If Hard Rock doesn't float your boat you can probably stop reading now as their fourth album, Burning on the Wings of Desire, leans heavily in that direction. Regardless of what label you choose to put on Blood of the Sun they sure can play. The album is full of meaty riffs, Hammond organ and clear vocals belting out catchy choruses. The first three tracks are the most "Metal" with mean melodies and a dark vibe similar to classic Uriah Heep. The rest of the album is more in line with the heavier output of Southern Rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd or Molly Hatchet. What truly transcend genre are the solos, both guitar and keyboard, that are traded back and forth on songs like "Let It Roll" and "Good and Evil." They are the kind that just suck you in and carry you along for the ride. Not all the songs are great and some of the choruses are downright repetitive, but damn if the solos don't make up for most of the problems.

I've got a soft spot for this stuff as it is what was on the radio when I was getting into music and is what set me on the path that led to Heavy Metal. If you only have room for "pure" Heavy Metal, move along, but if you want to hear the type of music that provided the foundation, Burning on the Wings of Desire fits the bill.