Power Dive

Though actually from Germany, it really wouldn’t have surprised me to learn that Acid Blade had been part of the recent classic metal deluge from North America, particularly Canada. Just everything here seems standard right now: the denim, the leather, the NWOBHM energy, the unabashed vocals, the not-quite-crisp production. Power Dive comes as the debut album and a very traditional affair it is, sometimes to the point where I don’t see how Acid Blade can stand out in the current climate. The 40 minute release doesn’t truly get moving until the title track begins to cook, and at that juncture I start to see past petty criticisms of over-conventional writing and references, partly because the intensity goes up a notch along with the speed so that it’s difficult not to be dragged into the experience. Although probably the finest song, 'Power Dive' also begins to bring the dazzle of the lead guitar more into the equation, not to mention a potent bass tone that frequently appears alongside the guitars and sometimes separately.

Not really a common reference, I start to think of Rabid Bitch Of The North when 'King Killer' fries some silly high-pitched vocals and exhibits chunky atmospheric chord changes in the riffs. In the end, the similarity between that act and Acid Blade only scratches the surface of the sound, but I feel it summarizes the main appeal of Power Dive. The musicianship will not stagger you in terms of technicality, that’s fine, while the feel of the writing treads a fine line between esoteric and plain ridiculous, especially in regard to the gargling howls and shrieking falsettos from Klay Mensana. And that results in songs that really work when Acid Blade hit with high tempos and infectious riffs, as well as explorative instrumentals, but are not so effective when they slow down and play more basic structures, such as on the balladic 'Moonless Night' or the rather inelegant opener 'Hot Bloods on the Loose'. Surprisingly, it’s the 2 songs that last longest which capture my imagination the best, 'Harpy on the Wing' hovering around 6 minutes along with the title track and delivering a great end of listen pay-off. The album as a whole is slightly inconsistent, though well worth a shot for some not so serious heavy metal kicks.


Originally written as part of Slow Cuts of 2022 for The Metal Observer - https://www.metal-observer.com/3.o/slow-cuts-of-2022/