Following their debut full-length of last year, Spanish quintet Gauntlet have followed it with a three track EP to tide fans over until album number two is delivered. While pretty stock standard in terms of songwriting and production, their highly melodic Metal will have a degree of appeal for some. As an interesting aside, I believe this is the first Spanish band I've ever reviewed!
Gauntlet incorporate elements of the likes of Judas Priest, Dream Evil and Edguy into their upbeat, mid-paced approach to Heavy/Power Metal. Its stock standard stuff in its songwriting and execution, but the three songs here are of more than respectable quality. The riffs of the title track have plenty of crunch and groove, and aren't afraid to be a little cheesy ala Dream Evil in the backing vocals and lyrics. The slightly Proggy 'Die Away' also has a bit of swagger about it, it's straight ahead, Hard Rock-style rhythms likely to get a few heads nodding in approval. And despite its decidedly odd intro, 'A Sheep In Wolf's Clothing' is chock full of solos and double-kick action, with a smattering of Stoner-tinged Rock tossed in.
'The Comeback' won't make any major waves or win these Spanish lads a huge following, but for those looking for a new melodic Metal band to give you a break from your more high-profile bands, give Gauntlet a listen.
- Spiritech
(See reviewer's scoring method)
