Having trouble remembering this band? If you are - or have ever been - a NWOBHM follower the name of SPARTAN WARRIOR should be quite recognizable. The Sunderland-based outfit was credited as one of the most prominent 'obscure' British Metal acts, with a impressive "Steel 'n' Chains" (1983) debut and an even more special "Spartan Warrior" (1984) follow-up. Of course this is last page news to the average metalhead of today who will possibly skip this review in comfort. As for the older ones:

Every member in the new SPARTAN WARRIOR team brought back to life is an original band member, or - at least - has participated in the "Steel 'n' Chains" LP 27 years ago. Now, that's a gathering worth your attention, since reunions with only one original member mean...what? Furthermore, the pieces of music featured in this new "Behind Closed Eyes" CD are really remarkable if you still call yourself a friend of classic British Metal with a strong 'underground' smell. The music is heavy, really heavy, and the banging moments are not numbered; the melodies flowing all over the album, as seen in most NWOBHM bands anyway, carry this vintage vibe in an adequate way (remember: we're talkin' 'bout fans who find themselves occupied with such classic music on a regular basis the last x years).

The solos work will make you smile, not to forget: remanding you of doom, mystery or heroic moments of the British legacy, the guitars mean business being both 'Metal' and 'classic Rock' and the repetitive riffs at time can probably do no harm marking the album in their own stamp. The vocals of Dave Wilkinson are mature but nervous, separating consciousness from the restless heart, resulting in an ample session which lovers of melodic yet semi-odd singing shall applaud. The drawback of this CD, however, is the (partial or total, dunno) use of a drum machine which omits a lot of the music's power. And this is a pity since with some solid drumming "Behind Closed Eyes" would unveil a more captivating profile for an album whose traditionalistic behavior was expected, nonetheless, while also showing off guitar melodies only old bands seem to now how to lay down.

"Behind Closed Eyes": the new SPARTAN WARRIOR album investing a lot on your nostalgia moments, but equally aiming at your soul survivor instincts. With no specific track standing out of the rest (and that's not a 'minus'), 47 minutes of canorous Metal music is enough of a trial to check out if you still remember whatever the magic was that enticed you in the NWOBHM witchery in the first place. Ah, and add one point to the grade if you don't mind the absence of loud 'n' proud drums.