The fourth release from American band WIDOW whose bio claims they explore neo-classical metal from a unique death-metal influenced background yet who's cover art suggests a glorious slab of prime A.O.R. bearing a striking resemblance to the recent LOS ANGELES sleeve. Fortunately though the promotional build up is closer to the truth as in effect this band produce nine tracks that hint strongly at some serious worship at the altar of the beast, IRON MAIDEN.

Take for instance the second track in "We Will Meet Again" where the screaming twin guitar attack of CHRIS BENNETT and the superbly named JOHN E. WOOTEN IV proudly reproduce the sound of Messrs. MURRAY and SMITH with barely an original lick in the whole song. Unfortunately and somewhat predictably, despite some fine if unoriginal instrumental tracks the vocals, courtesy also of WOOTEN, fail to meet the standard of BRUCE DICKINSON (but then whose do?), whilst the lyrics explore significantly less epic topics than those of STEVE HARRIS. That's not to say the vocals are awful of course or the subject matter wholly unsuitable but for instance, with occasional similarities musically to "Revelations" we instead have "The Teacher's Pet", they borrow a fair bit of "Flight Of Icarus" for the S&M themed "At The End", and elsewhere the subject matter explores the arrival of "our first child" in "First Born" or "delivering the dream" in "Beauty Queen". Not a beast, phantom or navigator in sight but perhaps that's for the best as whilst imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, too much similarity just opens themselves up to criticism. In fairness though this sort of approach hasn't done the likes of HELLOWEEN much harm has it and their own style did develop as the album count grew.

No, I have to admit I actually ended up finding the mix of MAIDEN fuelled music and 80s US metal flavoured vocals embellished with the odd 'death' growl quite endearing and have to say that I found the album extremely listenable, with their own mark and hints at other influences gradually creeping in a little as the album developed and familiarity beckoned. However whilst I reference nine tracks in the opening paragraph there are actually eleven on the album and its with those last two they approach the musical equivalent of nearly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory as inexplicably WIDOW choose to close the album with two cover versions that roundly fail to add anything to the better known originals.

After coming to terms with their interpretation of the IRON MAIDEN sound I was unprepared for the drop in standard as the band bash through some pretty uninspiring takes on the VAN HALEN classic "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and KISS' "I Stole Your Love". Perhaps I've missed the point and these are simply "fun covers" rather than attempts to outdo the originals or it may of course transpire that these are intended merely as bonus tracks, but there's no mention that this is the case on the sleeve notes. I offer my full apologies and perhaps an extra half point if it turns out that they didn't run out of original material but surely one or two further tracks in the style of the rest of the album would have been a much more admirable way to end an album that's actually well worth hearing.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: widowusa.com

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