Italian Heavy Metal Rockers ANCILLOTTI have a new CD here ready for release on February 28. The band spawned from earlier acts called STRANA OFFICINA and BUD TRIBE, and focus their creation on straight up heavy metal, with rough but melodic vocals, and sing along choruses. At the first listed of the anthem "Band Your Head," I am immediately struck but the strong New Wave of British Heavy Metal influence, reminiscent of bands like SAXON and ACCEPT.  The crunchy guitar tone is straight out of the early 1980's.  "Bang Your Head, Rock and Roll Ain't Dead," swoons vocalist Daniel Ancillotti.

"Victims of the Future" is a bit slower, and with some swag. At times I also hear some of the German Metal band BRAINSTORM, particularly with the vocals and structure of the chorus. There is an extended lead solo part that fits in neatly with the overall sound, with prolific doses of a "wah wah" pedal. "Monkey" is a more up-tempo piece, with a nice, dirty guitar riff. There is a really pretty melody section before the chorus that livens up the song appropriately.

"Legacy of Rock" is a solid, anthemic number, that I can picture being on rotation on MTV during the 1980's. This is a fist-pumping, sing along song that the band was talking about.  "Devil Inside" has a cool, DOKKEN / RATT style riff, with plenty of minor chords and a full on chorus.  I think Bud's vocals here are strongest. In "Warrior," there is a galloping, head-banging rhythm that sounds exactly as the song title suggests. Hankering for a power ballad?  "Sunrise" can fill that void for you. It's a gentle number with strong harmonies and melodic sensibility. I have always been a sucker for a good power ballad...something heavy but melancholic, and something I can sing along with.  It's a good strong tune on the album for sure.  The closing bonus track "Living for the Night Time" is an appropriate closer for the album, embodying all of the elements of the album as a whole.

Overall, ANCILLOTTI has taken aim at bringing sexy, hook based Heavy Metal back to modern times. The album produces a fairly decent result of this aim, consisting of old fashioned 1980's style, straight up Heavy Metal, with a focus on the main riff, and a strong chorus. It is not however anything groundbreaking, or riffs that we have not heard before. Still, they perform well and with good intention.