Cyberblade

In existence since 2019, Polish female-fronted Shadow Warrior have released some singles and a demo before releasing their first full-length Cyberblade in 2020. Having a look at the cover with that samurai-cyber-picture one could think that they have a similarity to the technical power metal band Dragonforce but what we find here is quite classic 8os style heavy metal.

The songs are kept quite simple and there are no overwhelming solos. On one side this means that they are quite catchy but on the other it is difficult to find some outstanding tracks on Cyberblade. Don't get me wrong, the quintet is really skilled so this is not the problem, but I think they could have made much more out of it with some more variety in the tracks so they would stay in ones head for a longer time. Stylistically they can be sorted between old Judas Priest, Tank, Iron Maiden (especially when it comes to these galloping guitars like in 'Flight Of The Steel Samurai') and old Scorpions. The melodies are often very catchy and quite appropriate like in 'Cyberblade', 'Iron Hawk Rising' or the already mentioned 'Flight Of The Steel Samurai'. You cannot deny that the quintet originated in Lublin have fun playing the tracks and this style of music. Especially singer Anna has a lot of power in her voice and is very ambitious in what she is performing. The other instruments are kept quite in the background so that you get the impression that Cyberblade is focused very much on the singer. A better-balanced production would probably help out to make the album more powerful.

For sure, Cyberblade isn't a barrel burst, and I guess with some improvements on the next album, Shadow Warrior will convince much more than they do with Cyberblade. If you're a fan of the above-mentioned influences, you should definitely check the release because it is an uncut diamond in my opinion. Some cuts here and there might have been for the better, but the band has a lot of potential.

Recommendable tracks are: 'Cyberblade', 'Squadrons Of Steel' and 'Flight Of The Steel Samurai'.

Rating: 7.9 out of 10 Samurais

Originally written for metalbite.com

Since their inception last year, Poland’s Shadow Warrior has been hard at work. “Cyberblade”, the band’s debut record, comes after a slew of singles, an EP, a demo, and even a live album. Right from the very start, it’s evident that this is a tight, energetic group. They live in a very comfortable bubble as far as traditional heavy metal goes, but that in no way will diminish your enjoyment. Boasting a number of catchy songs and fun solos, your appreciation of “Cyberblade” is dependent on one key factor: the vocals. The band’s singer definitely emphasizes passion over technique. She is no Bruce Dickinson clone, instead opting for a more limited, yet intense range of a singer like Doro. This is effective, at times, but also can make some of the more demanding sections a challenge.

To further complicate matters, Shadow Warrior’s songs really emphasize the singing. Outside of the killer lead guitar sections, the guitars tend to hang out in the background, allowing the vocals to take centre stage. Again, you can’t criticize the band’s enthusiasm; this album will hit you in the face whether you want it to or not, but that does largely come from the singing. The riffs fall a bit flat, the bass is primarily absent, and the drums tend to be straight forward throughout the record. The production seems to suggest this was intentional; the vocals are far and away the loudest part of the release, so much so that when they are absent, you might reach for the volume knob.

All that said, Shadow Warrior does manage to string together some great melodies on this album. In particular, the choruses to “Cyberblade” and “Demolition Hammer” are exceptional catchy. The latter is a good instance that would show how this band could be elevated with an even better singer; the melody bounces around with each quarter note, and it can get a bit warbly at times. By the time “Iron Hawk Rising” comes around, you’ll notice a pretty consistent trend of a rocking song that peaks with its memorable chorus (though songs tend to alternate between mid-paced and higher speed efforts). This doesn’t really change as the album goes on, and it’s a tried-and-true formula that has worked for many bands over the years. Ultimately, if you fall in love with this singer’s voice, “Cyberblade” is going to be an all-time classic. If that isn’t the case, however, it remains a service record amongst a pile of numerous similar releases.

Originally written for Skull Fracturing Metal
https://skullfracturingmetal.com/

Playing a comparatively stock, traditional style of science-fiction/warfare themed heavy metal as Worldly woman helmed legions such as Hess, Iron Heade, Kramp, Lady Beast and Sentinels is Lublin, (Southeastern) Poland's Shadow Warrior, which, following romp of promos in form of singles, demo and EP, now sets us aflame with eight-track full-length debut titled Cyberspace and released (digitally, on CD & cassette) under Ossuary Records - also exsanguinary provider of fellow countrymen Divine Weep.

Although we're serenaded by thirty-five minutes of accessibly pumping and engaging, twin axed mid tempo riffery compounded by loftily variable battery, as well as young, energetic front lass who passionately gives each mildly divergent song character and genial appeal, Cyberspace suffers, somewhat, technically.

For starters, the production is almost too salient, making the drums sound light and hollow at best of times; worse, still, their elevated spot within the overall mixing causes them to trump both guitars and bass; that is, leave them obscured in...shadow. Ex-Highlow, mid range songstress Anna sounds equally thrust, thus, to forefront, taking up more than enough (cyber) space.

Thankfully, her platonic, oft concise and discernable, husky squall manages to hit the right notes, even displaying Jody Turner of Rock Goddess-like charisma, with poignantly anthemic choruses highlighting both catchy carouser "Iron Hawk Rising" and bass dominated, trigger/ride happy "Squadrons of Steel". A raunchier, or less salubrious, stomping contortioner ensues to squat, stoic beat of "Demon's Sword"...(Urr, that rings mite too closely to 3 Inches of Blood's "Demon's Blade"!)

The latter's second half, along with soundbite-bookended opener, "Cyberblade" proper, are, in my (skull) view, the album's more memorable, perhaps even less derivative, instances; elsewhere, the prosaic, sped up (if not lamely titled) token thrasher "Demolition Hammer" is just that: token, not to mention guilelessly skippable, like last night's shepard's pie.

However, Cyberspace ends on top shelf high note with much improved, logically captioned closer, "Flight of the Steel Samurai", as its wickedly smooth and innocuous transition from becalmed, clean intro, to purely distilled Shadow Warrior, plus killer refrain, to boot, are, glibly put, hyper-spatial and worthy of select, robotic returns. (Also, it's nice to see the boys and gal pay tribute to their affinity for Japanese lore, in such sonorous, enthusiastic manner.)

While it won't make my top ten of 2020, Shadow Warrior's competent Cyberblade proves itself worthy pay-off for the Europeans' rapid surge, having founded only last year i.e. facial recognition technology's golden age.