The echoes of older times sure feel great when being influenced by their decors, values and virtues. Being inclined doesn't mean befalling as subjective to a certain pattern in order to copy its ways. The main idea is to forge something new out of the older form while protecting and paying tribute to the stellar attributes that are so likable. Didn't mean to sound like a dictionary, and I am certainly not, it is just me thinking out loud, only that you can read it. This brings me to the Italian newcomers named DUST DEVIL, surfacing with a pretty powerful name just for starters, this five squad Italian Metalheads of more or less veterans from various of local bands, assembled together to reassert the mastery of traditional Heavy Metal, extensively following the 80s golden accomplishment of IRON MAIDEN and early NWOBHM peers. Without a doubt that MAIDEN has quite an impact upon DUST DEVIL's material, and "Riled Up", the band's debut independent EP, is a glowering proof to that whether in sound or direction.

Consisting of five tracks, "Riled Up" is a little above of being "To The Point" type release. There is that on-going straightforward sense, rumbling with heaviness and punchy rhythms summoning speed and power at will, yet DUST DEVIL's song's, similar to MAIDEN's and other assortments of British nature, seemed to be cunning and intelligent musically. In my bill, the album's music, aside from a few repetitions or overdone sections, displayed a band of high technical skills, both on producing stellar lead characteristics revealed by Lapo Torrini and backing with impressive rhythmic complexities of guitar, drum and bass. It might not be original, yet in order to play and compose with such dexterity and acuity, knowing how to play is not enough, it all about understands the traditional formulas, which aren't that ordinary, and implementing them into good use. Vocally, I must admit that I was far from being awestruck, Leonardo Romeo has a good voice, but with DUST DEVIL it seems that he has no authority, no dominance, charisma or a burning fire within his mid to low voice range. Romeo has that fine raspy tones of David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE) but fairly ruled by similar voice pattern of Chris Troy (PRAYING MANTIS). Surly I like both vocalists but with a commanding material in the vein of MAIDEN, I expect more from the frontline. "God Of Steel" is my top choice out of this one, everything seemed to be ticking quite well, nearly serves as an anthem and this EP's ambassador for the band's next step. Others have quite a potential musically, but as for the vocals, it is hard for me to shake I'm afraid.