From Cleveland Ohio the band WRETCH was created back in the distant 1985, but in the beginning of their career, the band would just release demos all the way until 2006 when they finally released their first full length album Reborn that should be called just Born since it took so long to be conceived. Throughout the years the band formation and the album releases were a little inconsistent due to member changes and long intervals between albums. However the band is back in 2025 after 6 years without releasing anything. The name of the album is Visitors and the cover is a pretty cool artwork with something I believe is about to happen soon.

The album starts with “In My Time of Reckoning” and I can tell you from the start that the sound is a traditional Heavy Metal style from the 80’s and 90’s revealing the era that this band was created and the influence they had from the big bands of that time.We follow with “The Voice” and since the title already gives it away, I am going to start talking about the singer Juan Ricardo that has a great range and sings in a higher register as Michael Kiske and Andre Matos from HALLOWEEN and ANGRA respectively. He can reach some high notes and also give some Bruce Dickinson vibes as you can see in tracks like in the good “Chernobyl” and “Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run” that has a great guitar riff. I can say without a doubt that IRON MAIDEN had a great influence in this band musically and melodically. Imagine a Nicko Mcbrain using double bass drums (he refuses to do so) with the traditional MAIDEN galloping and you will get the good drummer Mark Koncki in this album. Precise playing with tasteful passages without histrionics.

The same applies to bass player Tim Frederick creating a solid foundation for the band. After an instrumental piece called “The Arrival” we go back to business with the song that names the album “Visitors” that has an interesting tempo signature and another good vocal performance. All vocals are very melodic and the lyrics will go from utopic dreams, life from another planet, and war tales. WRETCH has 2 good guitar players in Michael Stephenson and Nick Giannakos that share tasteful licks and solos throughout the entire album. Tracks like “Trapped in a Lucid Dream” and “Dystopia” are an example of their good work with killer riffs and shared solos. Nick Giannakos is probably the flame that never died as he is the only original member of this band since 1985. A dreamer and a Metal warrior in my book. The album ends with “Afghanistan” which is a cry for help for that region showing the beauties and the hardships of daily life with the violent conflicts. Another great guitar solo on this one. Good release and I hope the guys keep it all together and does not take too long to follow this good work.