Anyone's job can become newsworthy material as a result of some extraordinary act, and not always for the better. The humble grocery clerk, for example, is unlikely to be recognized for stocking shelves in an orderly and timely manner. Then one day, a viral video shows some rotten worker doing something gross to the food and suddenly everyone else in the occupation is guilty of that or worse. Just doing a decent job simply won't do anymore.

Since every dog has its day, it feels good to shine a light on the competent from time to time. When looking for distilled, gimmickless Heavy Metal it is far easier to look to the distant past, but today we need only to go back about four months. In December of '21, a group of Swedish youngsters known as CRIMSON rolled out their debut full-length album, "Black Carpet", a tribute, intentional or not, to the heyday of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Whatever they intended, the album walks a well-trod course.

Like the cozy comfort of its namesake, IRON MAIDEN is the likeliest first thought as the intro kicks in, leading to "Two Way Mirror" establishing the lane they intend to take for most of the album. Other tracks such as "Possessed" and "Tombstone" also don't go very far from this path, visiting the landmarks but not going anywhere we haven't already been.

The album, fortunately, is not without some real fighters. "Fuel The Fire" hits the gas to great effect despite burning out so quickly. "Winchester" offers the most modernized and current-sounding song. Before that however comes "Iron Lung"; funny enough, this is the album's heart, as the track is tempered in bass and retains a certain power throughout, and it really is something this band should hang their collective hat on, a late entry to the All-2021 Playlist.

Regrettably, that is about all there is good to say about "Black Carpet". Some tracks, like "Long Way To Sunshine", hang around too long. "Cold Lunar Tears" continuously builds to a climax it barely scratches, then walks over the finish line. Where "Iron Lung" succeeds, a track like "Pharaoh" just comes up short. Both could be considered attempts at a single or a radio/podcast feature, but like most of the album, the latter track plays it too safe to be of any real note. Like our humble clerk, a competent job is not doing enough to stand out anymore.

The good news is that optimism abounds. Despite any shortcomings, "Black Carpet" is a solid foundation as well as a floor, leaving plenty of room for CRIMSON to build upwards for album number two. There's viable evidence that these guys can play like other good bands, but they haven't created their own signature.

Not yet, anyways. Give this one some time.