Let's talk a moment about downloading. Is it really technically "illegal"? In my opinion it's just good marketing to get the music out there and in the hands of consumers who if they like what they hear will purchase physical merchandise such as CDs, vinyl, tee shirts and live concert support. As long as the bands are not offended and/or they endorse the downloading, I'm okay with it. Today's article demonstrates the power of the free download/stream. The band I'm featuring here today came my way via the infamous download site Getmetal, which is essentially a blog forum spreading download links to a plethora of awesome albums with a wide range of styles in what I’d like to think is an effort to spread the word of music. They really do have decent taste and seem to cater towards the underground crowd featuring many bands I've never heard of including Flight.
Flight was linked up by an online friend of mine and judging by the albums cover, band name and tags of "hard rock" I went out on a limb to listen and holy moly was I impressed. Opening number and title track "Flight" immediately had me hooked with an almost gothic punk vocal delivery reminding me of early Misfits era punky heavy metal with somewhat of a modern occult retro vibe similar to Witchcraft. As the track takes flight it begins to drift into more of a metallic groove. The chorus holds true with a punk chant and then eventually erupts into what sets the bar for the entire album that is the almighty guitar solo at around the midway mark of the song. Dueling guitars chase each other through a lightning storm of riffs before arriving into a delicate plume of molten clouds.
I was hooked deep by the time Flight landed safely. What I wasn't quite prepped for was how far from over the actual flight was. High and Dry era Def Leppard guitar tones pierce the airwaves combining with the muscular blues chops of prime time Deep Purple and brute strength of Judas Priest.
“Lions Den” slows down the pace slightly bringing more of that classic Leppard guitar crunch of the late 70's early 80's. Lyrically, Flight scream heavy metal all the way to the bank, nothing too serious or thought provoking, just fantasy laced stories of evil women and mythical lore which leave the shredding guitars and pounding rhythm to do most the talking.
It was clear 3 songs in that the album was going in for a repeat listen. The hooks ring loud, the vocals soar melodically, and the solos burst violent with groove. The way the choppy riffs glide the stage reminds me of why I've always been attracted to metal. The primal chords hone a metallic edge, slicing like an air guitar hero hopped up on smoke and whiskey. Each and every song breaks away from the day to day verse chorus verse for a trip across the Thin Lizzy highway riding on the back of Iron Maiden. It’s hard to pick a favorite track as Flight spirals smoothly through the 8 track epic.
In closing, if it weren't for Getmetal other blogs and online friendships this album, as well as many others, would likely have flown right under the radar into enemy territory possibly crashing and burning, void of passengers. I truly believe the download offer has already convinced many of us purveyors of the heavy rock n’ roll to climb aboard the Norwegian flight and sail into the clouds of retro metal. I'm inviting you all to take the plunge and ride the metallic skies. Now do as I have done; listen for free, then go support by purchasing digital via Bandcamp or physical (vinyl, CD) via Bad Omen Records or book a flight to Norway to see Flight in the flesh. How cool would that be? Almost as cool as this shredding album sounds. I pre-ordered my limited white vinyl while I sit here listening to my free online download. Call me a criminal if you’d like but I’d wager that the band and even the label sides with fans like me. The free download or stream is only helping the bands get heard. Of course the music has to be good, and in this case it’s a total win.
-The Huntsman
