Since 2012, the rambunctious Pittsburgh-based Heavy Metallers LADY BEAST have consistently powered their way through the metal world, delighting our ears with blow after blow of brilliantly reminiscent NWOBHM tones to satisfy even the most gluttonous of metal eaters. Now, 2021 sees the return of the raging quintet's PRIEST/MAIDEN/MERCYFUL FATE/DIO formulaic genius in the outstanding five-track EP, "Omens". From the blazing gallop of "Poisoned Path" right through to the anthemic PRIEST meets MOTORHEAD feeling "The Fools Journey", LADY BEAST don't disappoint. Their heady blend of NWOBHM meets flashes of old school hard rock is as visceral as it is fist-pump inducing and, with their melded genius of authentic guitar harmonies, melodic riffs and soaring vocal virtuosity, LADY BEAST deliver fistfuls of powerful and traditional heavy metal that penetrates deep to the core.

"Omens" opens with the belting "Poisoned Path", knocking it out of the park from the get-go with a riff that melts through like a knife to butter and a delightful taste of Deb's incendiary vocals. The synergistic guitar action is to die for and transports you to MAIDEN feeling soundscapes, with all the swagger and balls-deep attitude you'd expect searing through, igniting the track from start to finish. Pounding like a war machine, the EP moves to "The Reaper", instantly blistering with a boisterous guitar solo, rumbling bass and thunderous vocals with a pinch of dissonant touch to add to the ominous mood. It must be said, LADY BEAST know how to strut their stuff, injecting plenty of tempo and opportunity for a good, solid head-bang.

Keeping the riffs aggressive, tempo blasting and vocals oppressive, "Blood for Blood" pours itself over you, drenching you in its rich and heavy sonics, sporadic gang-chant style vocal delivery and guitar work that shreds your skin. It's the perfect opener to move into the very brave - and masterful - cover of RAINBOW's "Kill the King"; I mean, if you're going to cover RAINBOW, or anything involving the mighty DIO, you've gotta go hard, or go home. And go hard LADY BEAST do. They demolish entire tower blocks with their wrecking ball rendition of this hard rock classic, executing it with utmost finesse and attention to detail, in particular the exquisite guitar work that flashes as hard and fast as BLACKMORE himself. As covers go, this is absolutely sublime, and as bombastic and rip-roaring as the original, with female-fronted vocals giving extra spice to an already combustible composition.

The treats keep on a comin' with "The Fools Journey", with a hefty helping of dual guitar action that delights your soul from the get-go, layered with the sexy fuzz of the bass, all wrapped up with Deb's soaring vocals, incessant drums and a good measure of splitting forked-tongue delivery throughout; PRIEST, MAIDEN and ACCEPT would be very proud to have this slice of goodliness in their catalogue, especially with the tasty solo that bridges the track perfectly, with the added hint of melodic backing vocals just to add to the dimensions of this meaty cut. Sincerely, my only criticism of "Omens" is that the fun was over all too soon, but then that comes with the territory of an EP. LADY BEAST have absolutely slayed this teasing bit of filth, clearly pouring their heart and soul into this five-track collection of brilliance; I hope there will be an encore and pray to the metal gods that the wait won't be long.