Arthemis - Black Society

Black Society, the fifth album from Italian metal outfit, Arthemis, is a fairly ambitious attempt at mixing both the best and worst of 80s metal, with a criminal dose of infectious pop melody. Angels In Black and Fright Train showcase the band's poppier and arguably, cheesier side, whereas songs like Electri-fire and Escape are prime examples of their mind-boggling technical prowess. The drums are blistering and the guitars chug unmercifully, unleashing solos of the highest fret-wankery. Then the vocals wail relentlessly, channelling the ranges of Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson combined. Although impressive, the songs could easily have been written by the litany of rampaging riff-machines the 80s and its survivors have to offer. Overall, Black Society is nothing especially ground-breaking, but is riddled with enough unbridled speed and slick power to make it exciting and bold enough to at least lick at the heels of the giants.