Traditional Metal has many faces. Throughout the mid to late 70s and the classic 80s years, it went through twists and turns that created a worldwide mania breeding a large variety of subgenres. Nonetheless, after all this progress that led to both ecstasy and woe, achievement and disappointment, there has more than a fair share of bands that would deny that same evolution only to remain loyal to the foundations. Call me philosophical or just faraway but there is something about the roots of Metal that is so compelling and the material that follows it is grand though it would probably sound dim-witted and banal to the modern listener and even some of the old school fans.

Listening to the Canadian Heavy Metal METALIAN made me go ahead and write the above. This group embraced the same kind of thin unique sound that NWOBHM and early traditional Metal gods like JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN and even several vintage British Punk band used in their albums. Accompanying the production, the music pointed of a well reserved appreciation of the dual guitar playing and the essence it holds within it. I also enjoyed the amazing rhythm section that remained true to older times and I can't easily abandon the quality of the high pitched vocals that are the picture of class. METALIAN's sophomore album, "Rock Solid", via Heavy Artillery Records, is one of the better strains of the old Metal order. Still and all, it wasn't the best thing I wished for in a vintage Metal type of album but it made me intrigued to wanting to listen to more stuff out of this group.

After two rather average tracks in the image of "Conquest" and "Alone Again", the album was boosted by wild and free "Sonic Attack" charging with a relentless amount of energy. NWOBHM bands would have envied. However, the spotlights of the album were on "Soldiers Of The Dawn", an amazing JUDAS PRIEST oriented song with amazing heavy riffs and incredibly performed vocals and "Wasteland" that reminded me of retro IRON MAIDEN along with a US Metal spike. The closing "Motor Maniac" smelled of the motor machine of MOTORHEAD is a way but less dirty with its great quality and clarity.

In the bottom line, "Rock Solid" is a picture of loyalty to one of the truest kind of Metal. Nonetheless, I believe that METALIAN aren't in their best of forms and I know that what will come next will be favourable.