Well, what makes a band from the past keep its works?

The answers could be many, as money and a constant work (as IRON MAIDEN does since the release of the band's first album), or maybe just love to this addiction called Rock'n'Roll/Heavy Metal that many bears since the earlier ages of adolescence, when this passionate musical style catches us all. There are thousands of bands from NWOBHM that never released an album or even a single in those times when English bands stormed the world. But some are coming back and showing the young fans that they deserve to be active, alive and kicking.

And I'm sure that SALEM, from United Kingdom, is a band that really deserves to be here. And their new album, "Dark Days", is a sample of what those times had to offer.

The quintet plays a mix between 70% of classic Hard Rock with 30% of traditional Heavy Metal, sounding heavy and melodic, but extremely accessible to a broader public. Their music can catch you in just few moments due their charming melodies, good work on vocals, on the fine guitars riffs and melodic solos, and on the heavy rhythmic session. Their musical efforts create a very good form of music, indeed, maybe remind a bit bands as UFO and THIN LIZZY.

The sound quality is very good, clean and heavy, as their music needs. And the band's choice for instrumental tunes was done wisely, because they sound heavy and aggressive, but without destroying the tender and accessible atmosphere of the album.

The more you hear "Dark Days", the more you like it, I must say, and all the songs are really good. But I can suggest you as their finest moments the kick starting and tender "Not Guilty" with its catching contrast between tender and soft moments with some very good choruses (where heavy guitars show their value), the heavy Groove shown on "Complicated", the hooking Hard'n'Roll called "Lost My Mind" with its lovely guitars; the heavy and charming power shown on "Dark Days" (a perfect mix between very good choruses and heavy guitars), the excellent "Fallen Angel" (bass and drums are conducting this song perfectly through its calm and tender moments, but putting some weight on hard parts, and another excellent chorus), "Toy Story" and another good show on guitars, and the abrasive and heavy weight that "Tank" carries (due another good moment from bass guitar and drums).

"Dark Days" is a very good work, and hope these survivors from NWOBHM keep on rocking!