EVIL-LYN is a five peace band hailing from Tampere, Finnland, a city that may possibly be called the Capital of Metal (at the time of writing there is actually a campaign going on set out to determine which Finnish city deserves the title). All of the members are seasoned musicians and although the band is only debuting this year with a full LP, it' s been around for more than ten years. One look at the album cover and the song titles full of Metal cliché, and you'll know what these guys are about. EVIL-LYN are all about the olde and the trve, they play traditional Power/Heavy Metal cut from the same cloth as US Power Metal bands like RIOT or JAG PANZER. There has been quite a revival of traditional Heavy Metal in the recent years - this retro trend being quite significant in other Metal genres as well of course - that has produced some really interesting bands like GRAND MAGUS or VISIGHOTH. How does EVIL-LYN measure up with the leaders of the pack?

We find eight songs on "Disciple of Steel" all clocking under six minutes. EVIL-LYN have a stripped down, focused, no-bullshit approach to songwriting. Simple, chugging, but catchy riffs and powerful choruses, that' s what it's all about, but almost all the songs have some kind of standout moment - an interesting bridge a cool guitar lead etc. - that make the album less of a run-of-the-mill fare. Songs like "Hellfire" or "Last King of Thunder" have great choruses and Lasse Heinonen's vocals sound pretty commanding. The guitar work is excellent too, some solos are quite jaw-dropping like the one on "Disciples of Steel". When you get to the fifth song on the album EVIL-LYN' s shtick can wear a little thin, but the following songs "Iron on Iron" and "Shadow Soldier" provide a welcome change in tempo and mood.  The MANOWAR-esque broad-swordy lyrical themes about conquest and ass-whoopery aren't the most imaginative as you can probably tell. Like the music they give you a fix of campy fun, brainless but badass.

All in all, EVIL-LYN have the potential to make it into the retro Heavy Metal big league. This album is very good, the musicianship is on a very high level, the songs are fun to listen, I can imagine that it would be a total blast to see this band live.  This music is made for rowdy evenings at the pub or the music venue. If you want to be an intellectual go the library.