Capturing a specific style or period in metal can be a timeless proposition – as is the case here in Italian band Vigilhunter with their self-titled debut album. Some of the material in fact goes back to the early 2010’s, while the act features Hitten vocalist Alexx Panza (who also showcases some of his guitar skills) as well as a host of musicians with seasoning in thrash and traditional heavy metal avenues. These nine tracks take you back to a progressive power metal sound that garnered a lot of attention in the mid-80s to early 90s – especially showcasing numerous American artists willing to take their music and vocals to stratospheric heights when it came to the riffs, song structures, and high-octane vocal melodies.
After the brief minute-long “Loading…Error 403” instrumental opens the record, the first power riffs of “Disconnected” hit your speakers like a long lost track from the early Queensrÿche EP, although the progressive shifts in the instrumental interplay between guitarist Mattia Itala, bassist Mirko Negrino, and drummer Marcello Leocani come from more of an early Crimson Glory / Fates Warning angle. At other points the musical foundation straddles traditional power/semi-thrash lines a la Vicious Rumors within “Shadow Rider (Vigilante)” where the chunkier chord aspects mirror the gang-like vocal chorus. Thoughtful ballad-ish melodies connect to cleaner guitar lines and keyboard parts during the opening sequence of “Sacrifice For Love”, the twin guitar melodies as well as the thick bass support rising to the occasion in a way that conjures up Savatage during their Hall of the Mountain King prime.
Where Vigilhunter shines above 98% of artists who attempt this style is the leather lung vocal prowess of Alexx Panza. The ability to hit those eagle high notes with power to hold out for multiple measures while also being comfortable to connect to listeners in lower registers puts him in the class of Tony Moore, the long-lost Carl Albert and Midnight, as well as Geoff Tate in his 80s heydays. Check out “Titan Glory” and closer “The Downfall” in terms of versatility, range, and multi-octave abilities with a personal touch few ever reach.
Already hard at work on the follow-up outing, Vigilhunter with its self-titled debut creates a benchmark for old school progressive-oriented power metal done the US way – taking a period from 1986-1991 and making it their own. This should be interesting to see where the next album goes forward, as the foundation is already killer.