For a while now I have been steady as a rock with my belief and personal standpoint regarding the shifting of powers in Metal music, especially when it comes to melodic Heavy Metal. Taking the reins off England and Germany, the Swedish Metal scene, which has already been something throughout the 80s, began rumbling with crushing Heavy Metal bands in the past decade resulting in the first establishments of an empire. Of course that most the music outpouring from the Norse land isn't quite ground breaking as heavily inspired by the two former countries that have been leading the Metal forces through almost thirty years, but these bands, and there is quite a line of names for me to hint those out for you, have been resurrecting the crafty moments that elevated Heavy Metal music back in its golden years. LANCER, merely a three years old five piece band, joined the on increasing club of Swedish bands aiming to dominate Europe's melodic Metal refinery, and about to carve a piece of the action for themselves. Their self-titled album, via Doolittle Group, a foundation affected by an early EP named "Purple Sky", returned the bewitching sounds of NWOBHM and late 80s German Power Metal in the vein of IRON MAIDEN, GAMMA RAY and HELLOWEEN. Not too heavy, not too threadbare or by all means highly creative but surely crafted and performed in fine manner to call it a success.

Frankly, I have to let you guys in on this, though I am a huge fan of the band's personal influences, I wasn't overblown by the material. Sure that there is quite a talent within these guys because in order to play in the same constructive and witty configurations as the band's idols, the need for spectacular musical capabilities is must and can't be done without. Not that LANCER's members are the high end Metal technicians, but they had enough of themselves on this release to provide an adequate debut that will remind the world that heaviness is not everything by a long shot and with indisputable melodic nature the human mind can be swept away quickly. However, and I am going back to the material, the large sum of the songs seemed rather matched to me, running through the same arrangements on and on. In addition I found several of the tracks way to close to original classics. It is quite understandable that being taken away by the 80s has its effect, and I am talking out of personal experience as well, but when added up by not that enthusiastic type of singing, even a bit tired at times, though I do admire Cans of HAMMERFALL that seems to be the main stimulus for this band's vocalist, only the music is left doing the talking. In my bill it isn't good enough to apply something more to this album.

No doubt about it that there are good vibes around this album, as I mentioned great musicianship, a clear appreciation for 80s Metal and a fixation towards the melodic paths of the music. Furthermore, the twin guitars slandered the riffing with stylishness sliding through the MAIDENish lines as if with ease. The bass's sound design reminded me of MAIDEN's Harris, especially with its trebly attacking vigor. Most of the songs' structures followed a fine mixture of English and Teutonic sorts (mostly the three bands I already mentioned as those have been pioneers on their own) that contributed to my final assessment. "Young And Alive" and "Don't Go Changing" retold the whole 80s Metal story once again with amazing melodies, determined speed and catchy vocal lines all unified in a one great harmony. The pleasant-sounding "Between The Devil And The Deep", overly IRON MAIDEN oriented tracks of the later era of the band, played out to be LANCER's powerhouse for this release. As a MAIDEN fan I really found pleasure in the intro and of course the profound chorus that even with its thin sound, it wasn't hard for me to sink in deep and follow the waters of the simple riffing and great lead guitar melodies out there in the back. Of course I wouldn't ignore that wistful soloing as well. In short, a highly inspiring melodic release in vein of mid to late 80s Heavy Metal, still without too much uniqueness but at least the abilities are there, cool but thin production, can be considered as prospect under the Swedish flag.