Striker - Eyes In the Night (2010) (7,5/10)

“Eyes In The Night” is the first regular studio record by the young Canadian Speed Metal outfit STRIKER. This release is a continuation of the previous EP “Road Warrior” and presents us an energizing, honest and powerful homage to the glorious eighties with bands like ANNIHILATOR, CRIMSON GLORY, GRIM REAPER and so on. A track like the melodic Heavy Metal anthem “Never Ending Nights” could come straight from one of those bands that haven’t written this kind of energizing tracks in quite a while.

This record also portrays an unconventional desire for fun and freedom and also has a very positive and sometimes almost happy vibe to it. “We Don’t Play By Rules” perfectly portrays the spirit of the young band from Edmonton in its lyrics and its vivid mid to up tempo musicianship somewhere between Heavy and Speed Metal. The energizing and a little bit over the top Thrash and Speed Metal outburst “Terrorizer” also sounds much more positive than its song title.

In transition to the second studio record, the band sometimes shifts a little bit more to Traditional Heavy Metal instead of straight American Power or Speed Metal. If you like a song like “Ice Cold” with its great eighties vibe, its unchained guitar solos and its perfect balance between mid tempo parts and unchained up tempo moments, the second studio album might even please you more.

There are still a few fillers on here and the band certainly copies its idols a little bit too much here and there but this fun ride is a must have for nostalgic genre fans. Among many recent releases by revival bands influenced by the metal scene of the eighties, STRIKER stand out and the five Canadians might soon make themselves a name on the international scene as well.

(Online July 1, 2013)