If Life's Blood were an unearthed gem from the 80's its value as a lost classic would be unassailable. The vast majority of modern, retro-based heavy metal is content to merely ape the sounds of the 80s, selling to a small but dedicated base of fans who don't like much of what's going on today but have already worn out their copies of Master of Puppets and Holy Diver and just want something new in the same mold, even if it doesn't aspire to the same peaks in terms of quality. Widow are one of the few bands in the 2000s that sound like they belong on an old Metal Massacre cassette from a quarter century ago.
They eschew the ever-popular thrash and Celtic Frost/Bathory influences for some straight ahead, mainstream trad metal in the old school vein, not quite glam metal but not really full blown power metal either… think Lizzy Borden or the Trick or Treat soundtrack. The important thing is that their songs are not only well produced but catchy as hell.. "Lady Twilight" and "Take Hold of the Night" would have been breakthrough second hour hits back when Headbanger's Ball ran a full 180 minutes. Life's Blood is the band's fourth album and it's about time we reward them with a little well-earned love before they give up and get day jobs. US customers are probably better off purchasing directly through the band here.
8 out of 10
Life's Blood is out now on Pure Steel Records.
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