From the band's press release: SPECTRE hailing from Sydney and New South Wales, Australia, is the sterling heavy metal vison of Will Spectre. Formed in 2017, the band made its recorded debut that summer with the two-song "Silver Invaders / Stand Alone" single on the cult Heavy Chains label, which DYING VICTIMS released on 7" vinyl later that year. SPECTRE's primary influences are heavy metal and hard rock of the late '70s and early '80s, and they continued that streak with the Hard Attacks digital single in 2018. Four years would pass before their recording. On that record, Will Spectre was joined by his heavy friends Jake Glas (OUTCAST/TEUTON) on vocals and David Harrington-George (THE WIZAR'D/TAROT) on bass. Now the duo Will Spectre and David Harrington-George return with arguably their best and bravest record yet, "Lonesome Gambler" released July 28, 2023. With the average length around five minutes per track, the four songs comprising the album as "epic compactness" which wholly suits the moodier material here. Taking the bathos and pathos of its predecessor further, SPECTRE conjure a mystical realm where private-press NWOBHM, dark AOR, and even early deathrock reside: the rocking is measured but not too hard, the melodies are melancholic but not totally depressing, and back on the mic, Will Spectre's vocals are somehow anthemic and sagely simultaneously. The vintage synths colour these road/life/space-weary ruminations with tastefully dramatic effect, putting them squarely on that precipice between 1979 and 1980, equally excited about and fearful of the future. It's a subtle refinement altogether, but one that proves there's plenty of magic still to be mined. The CD and tape versions will include five bonus tracks. Me again: Wow, I was gonna try and edit that press release down a little, but I really couldn't figure out where, so let's hope the album isn't as complex as that, on to the music.

Nice melodic easy going start with soft guitar, but soggy vocals on the opening track "Hero of the Illusion" can't quite classify as a rocker, but not stoner rock either, it's intriguing and has my interest, but I must continue on to see where this sound is headed. As a rule of thumb the title track should never disappoint (my opinion, not that of Metal Temple) and "Lonesome Gambler" toys with that delivering a playful little punchy mix of southern rock and R.E.M (an odd mix), the song is salvaged though by a nice, impressive guitar soloing to finish up. "Silver Invaders" comes out with a blend of dark, deep and clean, higher vocals overridden by smooth and tranquil guitar riffs, keeping a strong mid-pace and stealing the show. Punchy riffs open the door to grubby vocals on "Hard Attacks" once again saved by a fiery and vibrant guitar fretwork tagged nicely with hammering march of drums, the vocals just lack substance and emotion leaving the songs all flickering like a candle in the wind. The album ends strong on" The Black Jewel", turns out to be a pleasant surprise, a hard rocking tune with meaty riffs and a magical ribbon of catchy guitar work resembling "Comfortably Numb", finally found that needle in the haystack.

Will Spectre is a really good guitar player, maybe even great, what he isn't is a really good singer, I'm sorry to say that but his vocals lack enthusiasm and oomph but for a two-man band, they do produce a lot of sound with catchy and simple melodies and chorus. "Lonesome Gambler" is by no means a true head banging album, it seems to linger between rock and folk rock, I never felt any of the influences of heavy metal and hard rock of the late '70s and early '80s as stated in the press release but because of the excellent guitar work, you will want to turn it up loud.