Singer Brian Ross seems ageless in terms of his vocal abilities currently. Fronting both Satan as well as the act under the microscope here for Blitzkrieg, there’s no denial the man has soaring pipes that send chills throughout the metal landscape. Six years beyond the previous studio record Judge Not!, we now look at a self-titled platter that proves this act continually shines in the creation of driving, energetic traditional heavy metal that should send consumers screaming in the aisles, hoisting fists to the sky while incessant headbanging commences.
Initial exposure to these songs leads this scribe down a path of undeniable musical to vocal connection – where the explosive guitar work beyond solid riff construction within the tandem of Alan Ross (Brian’s son) and Nick Jennison develops to legendary proportions. Arpeggio, neoclassical shred runs coincide with powerful main hooks that gallop all over the map – check out the semi-thrashy “Dragon’s Eye” or the militant mid-tempo effort “I Am His Voice” for their versatility, dynamic textures, and harmony accents. Brian challenges himself with interesting choir-oriented background voicing on the aptly titled “Vertigo”, while the epic closer “On Olympus High – Aphrodite’s Kiss” starts on an instrumental note with acoustic guitar and softer, almost flute-like notations, before his lower register melodies unfurl the Greek mythological theme in advanced tactful form, the tight axe / rhythm section interplay majestic to conjure up throwback visions. For those that just want straightforward, forceful heavy metal, there’s nothing better than the hard charging opener “You Won’t Take Me Alive”, it’s riffing and pounding tempo taking “Bark at the Moon”/ Ozzy Osbourne into the current marketplace. Nick also doubles as producer – ensuring a robust sound that jumps through the speakers which should appeal to multiple generations past and present for the band.
Yes, Blitzkrieg came onto the map of many for Metallica’s cover of “Blitzkrieg” which was the B-side of the “Creeping Death” single back in 1984 – but they haven’t rested on those past glories. Blitzkrieg the self-titled album proves that in 2024 the band executes at a tremendously high level a brand of crunchy heavy metal to champion now and forever.