HERMAN FRANK: Two For A Lie (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Starting as a simple recreation, Herman Frank has become the German guitarist's main project. Since his departure from Accept in 2014 and the end of Victory after 2013, he has offered two albums and is back with a fifth opus, "Two For A Lie". So far the band has not broken through, their heavy metal is okay, rooted in a purely Germanic style but it lacks the thing that would make it stand out. Always accompanied by Rick Altzi on the microphone, Herman Frank has the heavy task to show that he can get out of a certain anonymity.

The album is 40 minutes long and that's a good thing - Herman had overloaded his last albums. From the beginning with 'Teutonic Order', the tone is given in a pure Germanic heavy with a good power of striking, epic and melodic riffs, the whole carried by a Rick at ease in the high notes or in a more hoarse tone. Afterwards, several tracks keep the same spirit. 'Hate' and its thrash side not far from Annihilator, the very speedy 'Hail The New Kings' or 'Just A Second To Lose' are effective.

Besides, the band has the good idea to vary the subject with more melodic tracks. 'Venom', 'Eye Of The Storm' and 'Liar' mix the German heavy metal with a good hard rock side. The effective melodies and the catchy choruses are carried by a Rick with a warm voice close to a Jorn Lande or a David Coverdale. 'Stand Up And Figth' evolves in a heavy style close to Rainbow with a high level instrumental part. Finally, 'Open Your Mind' is a catchy and powerful heavy blues tinted track carried by Rick Altzi who is the big winner of the album.

"Two For A Lie" is a nice little surprise from Herman Frank. He signs his best album to date by proposing an effective balance between raw power and unstoppable melodies. This might not be enough to get him out of anonymity but it will delight the melodic heavy metal fans. - Official website

HERMAN FRANK

TWO FOR A LIE

AFM RECORDS

HEAVY METAL