In the beginning of the 80's, the shockwaves of NWOBHM caused echoes on USA. With deep roots on 70's Hard Rock and Glam Rock influences, but from names as RIOT and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT as well, with THE RODS setting things on fire in the late years of the 70's, and bearing the energy from names as JUDAS PRIEST, MOTORHEAD and IRON MAIDEN, US Metal scene was born. Names as STEELER, BITCH, MALICE, ARMORED SAINT, TYRANT, LIZZY BORDEN, OMEN and others became legends. And even today, there are good traditional Heavy Metal bands appearing on USA, as LADY BEAST, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with their new album, "The Vulture's Amulet".

Their musical work is heavily influenced by NWOBHM names, especially IRON MAIDEN (especially on guitar riffs and solos), but with some elements from US Metal school from the 80's (for the technical approach used to temper the band's melodies). Their music has very good melodies, hooking choruses, and a good technical insight, but even being their 5^th release, they need to mature a bit more, because their musical influences are so evident. It's not a loss, but it's not as good as it could be.

The sound production was done in a way to guarantee the band to sound heavy and clean at the same time. But it's trying to emulate those earlier albums from NWOBHM in some aspects, and those aspects of being crude. No, no, no... Those albums were on that way due the technological (and economic) constrains of those days... The music is what matters, and the best way is to make the fusion of the past way of doing things with modern technologies. There's not a sin, you know.

The songs of the album are all good, but there is that old and good feeling that this quintet can do way better than they show. For now, songs as "Metal Machine" (good vocals, but need to be better worked as well), "Runes of Rust" (good melodic energy flows from this one, and here the vocals fits in a better way), "Sacrifice to the Unseen" (with a more aggressive approach on guitar riffs on this slow paced tempo), "The Champion" (this one shows excellent work from bass guitar and drums), and the 'acceptian' energetic touch heard on "The Vulture's Amulet" show that guys aren't doing great songs by now for their music is still too linked to their musical influences.

Maybe a good producer next time could give them a help to make things evolve out from their hearts. But LADY BEAST isn't a bad name at all, and "The Vulture's Amulet" is a proof of that.