I have been following STRIKER for a few years now, as their brand of Melodic Thrash Metal really appeals to me. These guys from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada are not only good on records, they are even better live. That is what really drew me in. And after six studio, one live album and a waiting period of over five years, they figured it was time for a new studio album. The result is currently coming to my PC loudspeakers and is called “Ultrapower”. And for the first time since I have started listening to STRIKER, I have needed a lot of time to warm up to their music.

The reason for that is quite simple; whilst they haven’t changed too much musically, they have added a lot more background harmonies within their songs. And the thing about those is; they will remind you of DEF LEPPARD a lot of times, as the tuning of them is quite similar to that of the NWOBHM heroes from Sheffield. At first it disturbed me, but sometime or other it all clocked, and I found that it added another dimension to the Melodic and Thrashy tunes that STRIKER play on “Ultrapower”. To make it even worse, on “Give It All” the band have even opted to add a saxophone sound. I don’t know if it is a real one or it is from a keyboard, but it does add to the tune. This is the most DEF LEPPARD like song you will find on the album. Okay, together with “City Calling” and “Live To Fight Another Day”, it is.

Well, I guess you have gathered now that “Ultrapower” is not a Thrash Metal album per se. No, it is more Melodic, but still with a lot of songs that have that Thrashy upper- or undertone. What I do admit to is that in comparison to their former work, the band is lacking in pure aggression. What “Ultrapower” does have in abundance though is enthusiasm, power and drive. Plus of course STRIKER is able to produce very good songs that will embed themselves into your brain if you give it some time. I feel that “Ultrapower” is another one of those prospective diamond albums that need time to really grow with time before you realise and appreciate its full potential. Me, for one, am quite willing to take that time, as by now I am starting to get addicted to “Ultrapower”. The conclusion I can draw is simple: STRIKER strikes again.