LADY BEAST was formed in the year 2009 in Pittsburgh, USA, and it was very obvious listening to their album about their influences. The sound they prefer is heavily influenced by NWOBHM bands like IRON MAIDEN, MOTORHEAD and JUDAS PRIEST among others. Their debut was a full-length eponymous album in 2012 and they followed it up with a second album in 2015 called "Lady Beast II". An EP called "Metal Immortal" in 2016 was released followed by "Vicious Breed". The band has a 'DIY' attitude and they claim to be extremely hands-on with booking tours to printing merchandise to putting out albums. The current album is out on bassist Greg's label, Cobra Cabana Records. While the band say that the album took about to two years to write and record, they have grown to play with a little more variety than just the run-of-the-mill NWOBHM melodies. The vocalist, Deborah Levine, wrote most of the lyrics, guitarist Chris chipped in with music credits.

The album starts off sedately enough with the first song "Seal the Hex" with a haunting guitar progression and a hint of violins in the background before drums and a killer distorted riff disrupts the party with a riff right outta the NWOBHM handbook. The vocals make its entrance about two minutes into the song and it is an able foil to the song. "The Lone Hunter" has an immensely enjoyable headbanging melody and is the stand-out song on the album for me. Competent musicianship and a strong bass line shore up this barn-buster of a song. The lead guitars are skilful and take the track further. "Always With Me" continues where the previous track left off and is just up to the brim with killer riffs, exquisite bass licks and strong vocals. The band has managed to squeeze in a ballad of sorts with the song "Sky Graves" which is a song just over the five-minute mark.

This album has a lot going for it. Catchy hooks and lilting melodies will surely make this album, and the band, a firm favourite of the fans of the NWOBHM era. The production value of the album is excellent and the lead guitar solos competent. While I can sing praises about the band and the album, I am left with a niggling doubt as to how relevant they are in this day and age. While the songs make you rummage in your closet and break out the denim jacket, you will be tempted to throw it right back in once the songs leave your head. The music, although fresh, harks back to an era almost 35 years ago! While I have no doubt this band would be a killer live entity, as far as their music goes, it's only for traditional Heavy Metal fans.