Although Heat Lightning is the fourth studio album for New York’s Sanhedrin, there has been modest appreciation for the power trio’s discography over the years on this site. Be it witnessing the group live or hitting a best-of list in 2019 from Mr. Gehlke himself on sophomore effort The Poisoner, there’s something potent (and memorable) regarding these musicians in their traditional heavy metal ways. Opting to switch up producers and studios results in the most impactful set of material to date – forceful when necessary, hypnotic in its craftsmanship, as the tracks explode in a loving manner for the listeners to envelop every crevice of mind, body, and soul.
Standout aspects initially include the multi-octave, bluesy-oriented vocal range of bassist Erica Stoltz that has magnetic charm that oozes inspiration from a host of 70s/80s mentors, as well as the obvious symbiotic musical chemistry the three-piece exemplify. A track like “King of Tides” symbolizes the group’s dynamic touches, the foundation sprouting from a tranquil, introspective opening verse into a doom-laden electric outing, drummer Nathan Honor shuffling slowly in tandem to the churning chords and spider-web clean cascades from the fingers of guitarist Jeremy Sosville. The left / right guitar panning that starts “Blind Wolf” may seem familiar to those who love the title track of Slayer’s South of Heaven, but the song soon takes a momentum shift to highway racing territory, the vocal harmonies of Stoltz and Sosville delightful while you headbang incessantly. An ode to ‘lifers’ in the live music scene, “The Fight Of Your Life” delivers more NWOBHM-esque riffs next to an American-like catchiness that’s impossible to ignore.
The essence of these nine songs appears to serve the individual needs of each track first – often encouraging lots of return engagements to main hooks or melodies even in the smallest nuances. Be it solos that build off the verse/chorus chord roots, or jam-driven affairs where the group approach punk/thrash-like intensity, Sanhedrin always search for diversity without overstepping into ‘show off’ territory. Co-producing the record with Matt Brown and Jerry Farley at Utopia Bearsville studio in Woodstock, New York, the sound is robust, full, and vibrant – another ideal to cement these songs quickly while making repeat listens necessary and mandatory. Next to conventional song lengths, the closer “When the Will Becomes the Chain” at 7:07 showcases their epic abilities – incorporating aspects of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Dio, and Iron Maiden in terms of texture, drive, and edge of your seat vocals that rivet all the way to the wah-wah fueled fade out ending.
Heat Lightning has taken a couple steps up in putting Sanhedrin into that conversation of conventional heavy metal being in capable hands of newer acts when the old guard fades away into retirement. Strike now while this iron is hot, as the right touring / festival placements could see the following grow not just on European shores, but domestically as well.