Austria is not a country that gets a lot of
love when it comes to metal, but they have a surprisingly deep traditional
heavy metal scene. One such example is High Heeler, who has recently signed to
Swords and Chains Records for the release of their first full-length album, “Force
and Finesse”. This title perfectly describes the sound of the record. The force
aspect comes from the energetic, aggressive riffs that dominate the album. The
album is practically overflowing with riffs that hearken back to the NWOBHM,
where bands pushed the envelope as far as they could without the influence of
punk. On the other hand, the finesse aspect comes from a variety of different
areas. The first is the production; unlike many current traditional heavy metal
albums, “Force and Finesse” does not have a modern production, and the guitar
tone doesn’t have as much low end. This naturally allows the lead guitars more
room to breathe, creating a bouncier, less-precise sound (though still
perfectly in time).
Another area where the finesse is evident
is in the vocals of the fantastically named individual, Poison Poser. His
singing is somewhat of a blend between the sounds of Cauldron and Enforcer
(moreso the former than the latter). He largely stays in the upper range (without
hitting the highs of power metal singers), but he doesn’t provide a ton of
strength in his technique. This makes his voice somewhat mesmerizing, not
unlike Jason Decay’s. It also gives the album a bit of a glammy vibe at times.
That is not to say they’re a full-on hair band, but anyone who appreciates
those bands will definitely find even more to enjoy on this record.
From a songwriting perspective, High Heeler
is above many of their contemporaries. The entire record is quite consistent in
terms of quality, but a couple of tracks stand above the rest. The first is “Au
Revoir”, which excels due to Poison Poser’s strong vocal performance. The
chorus is catchier than anything else on the record. “Au Revoir” also features
tons of lead playing, and while it is not as flashy as something from a White
Wizzard record, for example, it is equally tasteful. The other standout song is
“Midnight Angel”, which is notable for the incredible riff that kicks off the
track. It’s one of those “feelgood” metal riffs; not particularly heavy, but
very effective. The remaining 7 songs offer up similar sounds, and ultimately
make “Force and Finesse” a very enjoyable release. Though it has taken High
Heeler a while to release their first studio album (having been around since
2000), they are sure to make an immediate impact in the metal scene!
Highlights
"Au Revoir"
"Misery"
"Midnight Angel"
Final Rating
4.4/5 or 88%.
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