IBRIDOMA is a five-piece Heavy Metal band who have been together since 2001, working their way up from a couple of self-financed EP releases in the 2000's, to now releasing their third album for SG RECORDS in "Goodbye Nation". Their stance is one that should be familiar to those who love the Traditional aspects of the 1980's - locked and loaded tempos that are steady and smooth with occasionally fill and double bass flourishes, easy on the ears melodies and vocal harmonies for emphasis during the choruses, and the guitars ringing out chord and riff progressions that make consumers throw out metal signs and head bang.

I would say songs such as "My Star" and the title cut straddle the line between conventional acts like PRIMAL FEAR or JUDAS PRIEST and then a little bit of the Sunset Strip sound from say BABYLON A.D. or JUNKYARD. Instead of tacking on a ballad towards the conclusion of the record, "Anja" appears as track four, the lead break very understated and complementary to the back and forth clean verses and heavier bridge/ chorus instrumentation. The heavier, chunky staccato riffs during "You Are A Liar" work brilliantly against the sinister, maniacal vocal parts from Christian, who could be the make or break element for IBRIDOMA in terms of longevity career-wise.

It's understandable that when English is your second language, natural pronunciation or word emphasis issues can come into play. But Christian's range is quite limited, as he's not really very powerful in the helium high screams, which I think plays into the straddling between Hard Rock and Heavy Metal for his main delivery. He really should capitalize on his personal touch in the lower and middle registers like he does for "Dreams of the Dream", where he has a little bit of Sebastian Bach meets Perry Farrell slither going on to his note choices.

Good but not outstanding, "Goodbye Nation" will find a home in some record collections, but I think they need to really dig deep to create a stronger follow up.<