Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 05/16/2006
As if the extra "u" in their name weren't enough of a clue,
the Saviours are a California band intent on resurrecting the power and glory of
the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. There are some contemporary
metal and
stoner rock influences audible on
Crucifire, sure, but the band's heart is clearly with
Saxon,
Iron Maiden, and those other sons of
Motörhead who brought a hint of
punk's energy to a previously stagnant
metal scene. There's one major problem, however. The
NWOBHM bands were the last to whom vocal chops were as important as instrumental chops. Bands took pride in having distinctive, technically adept singers with a lot of personality. In comparison,
the Saviours have singer
Austin Barber, who is undoubtedly a perfectly nice guy but unfortunately not a particularly good singer. His style is more of the
post-hardcore hoarse shout, a musical style that has its place but which meshes uneasily with the elegant riffing on tunes like
"Holy Slaughter" and
"Heathen Eye." Crucifire is still an entertaining album for anyone with a fondness for this particular strain of
metal, but it's not hard to hear how it could have been a lot better.
~Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
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