They’re back again! Striker has made their presence known early into 2017 and shows no signs of slowing down. Amidst their rigorous touring all over the globe and recently playing the famous “70,000 Tons of Metal” Cruise Ship Festival, the heavy metalers from Edmonton Alberta are set to release their newest and self-titled record, “Striker”, February 24th 2017. This will be with fifth studio album from the power-house, metal group and it is some of their best work yet.
Mark the date on your calendars, set a reminder on your phone, or put a timer on your microwave. Do what you must to ensure you do not miss getting your hands on this record.
The self-titled record contains just nine songs, coming in and just over thirty minutes in total playtime, proving shorter than Striker’s previous efforts. However, the length of the album has no impact as to how well this album was written and performed. It’s direct and to the point with no unnecessary “fat”. Striker leaves everything they’ve got on table in every track, not holding back in any aspects musically. “Striker” has everything you’d expect to hear from the group plus so much more than you could ever fathom.
Striker stays true to the formula their fans have grown to know and love, but have added a new cutting-edge tone that gives their new self-titled effort a different kind of experience, separate from their previous work.
The individual talents from each member shines through consistently throughout the record. From the howling voice of Dan Cleary to the thunderous bass riffs of William Wallace. Drummer, Adam Brown is electric on “Striker” and brings all new levels of intensity to every song with his unique and powerful playing style. While listening to the self-titled album, it’s impossible to miss guitarist Tim Brown. Through the duration of “Striker” he puts on a clinic and is an absolute smoke-show; through blistering speed, skilled intricacy, and technical writing, Tim Brown takes the spotlight numerous times in every track and is the key contributor to what gives “Striker” it’s one of a kind and thrilling sound.
There were two songs in particular that stood out to me most on this record, the first being “Pass Me By”. The track is gritty, and beefy as hell; loaded with thickly distorted and catchy guitar riffs executed by Tim Brown as well as some masterful solos from the man himself. The song displays the heavier side of the group and gives the album tons of energy early on into the new record. “Freedom’s Call”, the second last song on the effort was another track that really stands out. Groovy, aggressive, and fast as fuck; it starts with a softer and melodic guitar solo, but once the pace picks up, it doesn’t slow down; as the double kicks from Adam Brown’s bass drum are ferocious, and rage on continuously for the majority of the song.
From the beginning to end, everything inside of “Striker” is impeccable. It’s apparent that everything was taken into consideration while constructing the record. From the order of the songs, to the smallest of details. Again, although the album is shorter, at the end of the final track, “Curse of The Dead” you are left completely fulfilled, satisfied, and 100% mind blown as the abrupt presentation of the album is something the group carried out perfectly.
Striker has again demonstrated their ability to keep maturing through their art, setting the bar higher and higher as they progress throughout their career. After hearing “Stand in the Fire (2016)”, it was hard to imagine the group surpassing that album; the composition of the record exhibited the talent each individual member of Striker possessed, as well as their unmatchable chemistry. Striker’s self-titled album has not only shattered my expectations, but has lifted the standard to a completely new level.
Rating: [star rating=”5″]