STRIKER: Ultrapower (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

While the Canadians of Striker were releasing a string of albums at an infernal pace, they suddenly disappeared from the radar after "Play To Win", their first release on their own label, Record Breaking Records. With the band's reputation for authenticity and energy still strong, it's an understatement to say that the arrival of the newcomer "Ultrapower" has generated a great deal of anticipation after six years of waiting. While the visuals remain close to those of the 2018 release, the line-up is once again greatly reshuffled, leaving only Dan Cleary and Timothy Brown in place.

Fortunately, these personnel changes have clearly not dented the identity of the Edmonton combo, which is once again taking everything in its stride. The recipe for this is less simple than it might seem. Indeed, behind the systematically catchy choruses, gleaming solos and unifying backing vocals that keep the whole thing together, there are many ingredients. Striker is one of the few groups capable of blending several musical genres without making the listener feel lost. The quintet can switch from a track with glam and FM touches, reinforced by a surprising saxophone ('Give It All'), to an epic piece with changing tempi and moods, from heavy-thrash to clean tracks with tribal drums and synthesizer strings ('Blood Magic'), all without shocking the listener.

It would be indigestible to list all the elements worthy of attention in this sequence of fearsomely effective cluster bombs, so numerous are they. The North Americans blend Helloween-style speed-metal ('Circle Of Evil') with raging, punk touches ('Sucks To Suck'), go through Def Leppard-style pop-metal ('City Calling') or venture into synthetic territory worthy of the latest Reckless Love ('Live To Fight Another Day'). Yet it all remains homogeneous and, above all, retains the hallmark of its authorship. The choruses penetrate deep into the mind. The whole conveys a powerful, infectious energy that's just what you need to shake you out of a period of deep depression.

With this aptly-named "Ultrapower", Striker sets the record straight and makes fans forget the interminable wait they've had to endure for six long years. With their unique blend of metal in all its facets and an identity as assertive as it is protean, the Canadian combo is once again positioning itself as one of the main leaders of a metal revival that remains proud of its roots. - Official website

STRIKER

ULTRAPOWER

AUTOPRODUCTION

HEAVY METAL