This is the fine line between what is Hard Rock and what is Heavy Metal, the cracks in what is called Hard N' Heavy. It's musically melodic and catchy, it breaths and sounds like an 80s motivated and produced accordingly but with an Eastern European chilliness unlike the American warmness. I can't really ask you to pinpoint what band it is because you would probably stop reading this review, but as I figure you already know that due to you looking at the title. Yes, it smelled like something Finnish, not fishy, it is SOULHEALER. Fortunately for me, it is not the first time that I am listening to these guys as I had a run in with their independent debut EP, "Dreamcatcher", more than a year ago.

Through the distribution of Hellion Records, SOULHEALER released "The Kings Of Bullet Alley". I believe that they deserve this title, though I wouldn't count the bullets in this petite equation. Certainly they lived up to be a part of the kingship of their local scene when it comes to Hard N' Heavy. SOULHEALER are everything that is within the borders of IRON MAIDEN, DOKKEN, and W.A.S.P. among others, meaning that it might not be that heavy but it is accessible without being lost in the flow.

Since the poor production, which I think was intentionally in order to emphasize the band's affection towards the 80s era, shadowed the bass and somewhat the drum set in numerous places, all I had left was the guitars and vocals. The guitars of Teemu Kuosmanenand Sami Mikkonen were just what the doctor ordered. No funny business only top notch riffing with accordance to the genre at hand with a cool plus of enchanting solo licks that crossed between Metal and Rock. As for the vocals, I must admit that Jori Kärkimade his mark this time. After being a little brittle on the EP, "The Kings Of Bullet Alley" drew out the best of him as he became louder, raspier and somewhat tougher on several tracks. Well not in the line of SABATON's Joakim Broden, but more in the proximity of the present depthy Blaze Bayley. Nevertheless, I still think that the best you would be hearing from him here isn't the true hundred percent, maybe on the next album.

"The Kings Of Bullet Alley" has good eighties dynamics and more or less the music was written by the book of how to create hits. "Heading For Tomorrow" and "Zoned Out" star in the front of the release with awesome melodic features with hard hitting 80s riffing along with all-star choruses. Nevertheless, I advise to enjoy the sounds of "Wheels of Fire", "My Last Day", "Nowhere Man" and "Blind Faith" that are also more than capable tracks with an equal share of 80s energies.

SOULHEALER made an official stand for the 80s. Though they are not the first in their scene, it is good to know that they are around.