In terms of respect for female bands or artists in Metal, things are far of the ideal, because there's a lot of macho guys (and girls) acting as the artists were mere sexual objects. But don't let yourselves be discouraged: if we are still far from the ideal, we are closer than ten or 20 years ago, and in Metal scene, the number of female artists and bands is increasing and showing their value. And showing a very good work is the North American quartet BLOOD STAR, and the band is releasing its first album, "First Sighting".

Their music is really something good: a mix of influences between NWOBHM Heavy Metal/Hard Rock influences with some dirty 'n' nasty Rock 'n' Roll touches in the vein of MOTÖRHEAD and AC/DC. It's balanced in a very good way between aggressiveness, melodies and elegance, and it sounds organic and spontaneous, full of life and promising for the future (this is the band's first album, so this is a natural tendency, you know), but that right now is a tasteful release for the fans of traditional Heavy Metal, NWOBHM and late 70's Hard Rock 9but without sounding moldy and outdated, mind you all).

In the studio, the band had Jamison Palmer (the band's guitarist who worked as producer, sound engineer for the vocals, and that mixed "Dawn Phenomenon"), Andy Patterson (who mixed the album and made the sound engineering for the guitars and bass), Felix Fung (on the sound engineering of the drums) and Arthur Rizk (on the mastering). And their works resulted on an organic and defined sonority that stays away from modern tunes. It's good, but it can be better in the future.

The quartet is a novice (in the sense they're just in the beginning of things) working on a musical model that exists for 50 years, but even with all these aspects, their music is pretty good. If one has doubts, "All for Nothing" (the has some resemblances with NWOBHM early works, with a fine combination between melodic sense and some Hard Rock touches, all boosting the very good vocals), "Fearless Priestess" (that brings some melodic elements of US Metal, as the technical insight and heavy sound of the guitar riffs and solos, and a catchy chorus), "No One Wins" (a pure Hard 'n' Heavy song, short in time but with massive melodic hooks), "Cold Moon" (a strong rhythmic work of bass guitar and drums can be heard, with strategic shifts during the chorus), and the 'motörheadian' "Wait to Die" will easily disperse all of them.

"First Sighting" is a very good first coming, but for sure one can expect greater things of BLOOD STAR. Last words: if you're a macho boy, the best is to leave the scene, got it?