HALF LIFE is a young Heavy Metal quartet from Italy. By the band's own words, they play "great classic and melodic Heavy Metal" that is "must for fans of bands like IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON, and DIO. This EP release called "I've Got To Survive" is the very first example of what they can bring to the realms of Metal.

The EP comprises of four tracks, each of which are properly labeled as classic and melodic Heavy Metal. The title track speaks for itself, and sets a high bar for the following songs with its galloping pace strengthened by the classic guitar riffs and Andrea Lippi's versatile voice. "Killing Words" is easily the best track in the album. In terms of song structure, this song has the best one. It is also the best-produced and best-mastered track in the EP. I really liked how "retro" it sounded without really having to exaggerate.

On the flip side, "Only Shadows" is really confusing. I didn't know where they were trying to go with this song, with its unjustly lengthy intro. And when the verses dropped, it even got more of a mind game. It seems like they wanted to make a DIO - JUDAS PRIEST hybrid by combining classic Power with British Heavy Metal, but instead, what they have crafted is a rather blurry mixture of the two genres.

The last track, "The Judgement" is the longest song off the EP. Also, it is the most poorly mixed one. The guitars are way buried, and the sound of the vocals is a bit uncomfortable. Lyrics wise, the EP showed enough content for it to be considered a classic sounding one. But overall, I'd say that this EP has a very long way to go. Too good this is still just an EP, and I'm sure they'll look closely on the feedbacks try and see which departments they must improve, or even change. To me it's mostly on the production. Maybe give the guitars a little bit more emphasis and volume down the vocals a little.

Also, one more thing I noticed is that the bass can be barely heard, and we all know that bass is such a substantial part of classic Heavy Metal. Like I said, still a long way to go.