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Midnight Priest are a Portuguese band who are working that classic NWOBHM vibe with hooky riffs, cheesy lyrics, and galloping rhythms. This is the first release they have done in English rather than their native language in an attempt to get wider notice than their debut managed.

I like the approach here, and some of the riffs are really good. The production is raw, but also kind of muted, so the licks don't hit as hard as they could. New vocalist "Lex Thunder" is not bad, but he does not really tear it up, and these songs would sound better if his delivery had more fire in it. He does some okay high wailing, but his midrange sounds kind of toneless and bland. He's trying for Halford and not really even getting close.

But the riffs and lead work are infectious, hooky, and melodic as hell. This definitely has that 80s sound in a way that is just hard to really define, and the iffy recording only adds to that old-fashioned feel. Overall this is a fun disc from a band who can still do better, but if they do manage to get it right they will rip your head off someday. I will be watching for that.