Race Against Time

Banshee – Race Against Time


*Number 5 in my 9th MA Review Challenge 80’s USPM Gems series.


Banshee rules! There’s no question. Not only do they have the 80’s USPM credentials (largely due to their stellar debut EP, but also following through to a degree on these albums) but they also add in some straight up ‘heavy metal’ anthems, and they sound like Iron Maiden and have awesome video clips. This band is killer, and there’s pretty much no point in reading on any further, coz you should just go out and get their catalogue right now. But you if insist, I will write on as to some reasons why this album is badass. There’s many, but basically it comes down to a great all-round sound that these guys have, excellent vocals and guitars, great songwriting and all the other right boxes that they tick. The sound is slightly different to that of the first EP, but it’s still great.

Some detractors may point out that Banshee incorporated too much of a ‘hard rock’ feel in their music as they went along, particularly on this album but I don’t necessarily agree with that. Granted – there are some fairly ‘hard rock’ feeling tracks on here. ‘Desire’ with its AOR feeling chorus vocals, and it’s female-centred subject matter and slow pace is the obvious offender. This is followed by another effort ‘Get it on the Run’ – which is much more of the same, though it’s perhaps a bit more enjoyable. More glam/AOR sentiment is locked up in the lyrics, and that could be a turn off to some die-hard metallers out there, but the exection is there, and I like glam metal anyway (though I like it less than 80’s USPM) so I can deal. Either way, these probably are the two weaker tracks on the album – they won’t grab you by the balls like the jizz-worthy title track.

That title track is of course the phenomenal assault ‘Race Against Time’ an all out power metal burner that slays from beginning to end in an Iron Maidenish fashion. Right form the opening vocal lines, which are belted out by the astoundingly emotive Tommy Lee Flood, you’ll be hooked on this killer track. The overall writing and pattern of the song is just perfect, and I’m strongly reminded of Iron Maiden (think Somewhere in Time) and Leatherwolf. The guitar lead section sounds very akin to something that these two bands would perform, and then the vocal tones of Flood are somewhat comparable to Bruce Dickinson. Watch out for killer shrieks from Flood, and the haunting, emotive main riffs that thunder along underneath em. One badass mutha of a track, with not a trace of hard rock to be found anywhere.

Elsewhere on the album, the acoustic instrumental piece ‘Circular Flight..’ provides an escape into fantasy territory, and reminds me of something Leatherwolf done on their earlier material (though I cant think of the song right now). Anyway, a neat little addition here. ‘Call of the Wild’ is another favourite for me on the album, with a heavy/power metal vibe as opposed to any hard rock tones. This one again reminds me of Iron Maiden. We have a strong chorus, great vocal phrasing and gallopy speed metal riffs and drums. This one is a classic and goes alongside the title track as a favourite for me. Great guitar solos are another feature here. ‘Precious Metal’ has somewhat of a hard rock vibe, but only to the extent that Leatherwolf or Luv Hunter do, if you listen closely, the riffage and what not is firmly entrenched in heavy metal territory as opposed to anything else.

Basically this is one hell of album. Granted, there’s a couple of hard rock tracks on here, which some types might not care for, but the majority of the album is safely in power/heavy metal territory, and offers up a couple of really thrilling tracks. Banshee did start off a bit more straight up power metal, and evolved their sound a bit with this one, cashing in the shouted sloganry of the choruses in their first EP to create some slightly more accessible heavy metal. Point is - it still kicks ass. This album should be in any 80’s metal fans collection. Tracks like ‘Drive Like Hell’ are great speed metal assaults to rival anything out there, and the title track is even better. Add this one to your collection and I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed. Kickass 80’s metal in my opinion.

-DeathRiderDoom