Metal from the 80s is a reference for all the Metalheads generations. Obviously the passion drives many bands that try to emulate that form of music. If you can breathe life on such old, eroded and moldy form of music, you have a point. But if you only want to be inside the limits that were created, sorry, but you better stay as a fan, not a musician. But there are some bands that create good works, besides they aren't creating anything. And the Swedish quintet STARBLIND has a point, as their second release, the album "Never Seen Again", shows.

I'll not lie: their musical work is totally based on IRON MAIDEN. Of course it's not their only influence, much of NWOBHM scent is presented on the album, but the work of Steve Harris' band on the 80s (especially the era between "The Number of the Beast" and "Powerslave") is too evident. But hold your horses, dear readers: besides music is not new, it's not a carbon copy as well. It has very good melodies and a fine energy that flows from their songs. And it's good, really good.

The sound quality is a problem. To play in such way, it demands a better sonority than what we hear on the album. It sounds raw and with instrumental tunes that are not the best for their work. It seems that the producer tried desperately to emulate the sound from the 80s, and maybe a more modern sound would fit. A sound quality that even IRON MAIDEN itself is failing to reach on their albums since Bruce came back (sorry if the band's fans don't like my words, but the truth is what it is).

"The Everlasting Dream of Flight" with its energetic guitars and good melodies, the same good aspects that are shown on "The Shadow Out of Time", the Hard'n'Heavy harmonies that fills "Pride and Glory" (very good work from bass guitar and drums, indeed), the good slow tempos of "Never Seen Again" and "Demon Rider", and the fine vocals parts on "The Last Stand" are the album's best moments. But their main weak point is to take their IRON MAIDEN influences too serious, with some elements that we are full of hearing on their albums, and STARBLIND could do something even better showing their own identity.

"Never Seen Again" is good album, but the band needs to improve its own personality. Hope the next time they will be mature.