Italian bands L’IMPERO DELLE OMBRE and BUD TRIBE have both been around since the 1990’s, and both of them specialize in what one might describe as a vintage variety of heavy metal. The two bands have previously cooperated on a split release, a 7 inch vinyl single back in 2008, and when they did so again in 2013 it was basically to release an expanded version of that production, featuring two additional tracks by both bands, giving each band one album side on this vinyl production released by Italian label Jolly Roger Records.
L’Imperio delle Ombre is the most impressive of these two bands, at least if the material on this 12 inch production presents them in a fair manner. Their take on 80’s heavy metal is one that is traditional indeed, using dark toned, majestic riff passages, a fairly powerful lead vocalist and with guitar talents willing and able to pull off energetic and intriguing guitar solo runs that manage to maintain tension and intensity quite nicely. One might argue that the band is among those who perhaps look back to the likes of Black Sabbath a bit too, as they aren’t strangers to include slower paced movement with more of a doom-oriented nature, but what sets them apart from many other metal bands is the use of subtle but very much present keyboard and organ textures, and also using both of these for dominant solo runs too. A nice additional detail is the use of atmospheric sampled sequences that appears to have been pulled from old movies.
Bud Tribe is not quite as impressive with their take on 80’s heavy metal. In sound they revolve around a less majestic overall sound, and especially concluding song Star Rider appears to have borrowed liberally from the solo career of Ozzy Osbourne. If planned or accidental I cannot tell, but there are some recurring riffs at hand on this song that to my mind comes with an Ozzy copyright notice to them, and the manner in which the keyboards are used in this song strengthens that impression. Even if the main parts of this song is a tad more intense and pace filled than anything Ozzy has made. Otherwise a fine, high energy take on 80’s traditional heavy metal, but without the elements that elevates the material to a higher level.
All in all this is a good quality production for those with a strong affection for 80’s oriented heavy metal though, and especially those fond of theatrical and dramatic effects applied to this style of music will find this production to be a compelling one and then especially due to the contributions of L’Impero delle Ombre. I also noted, with some interest, that the compositions also present on the split single these bands released in 2008 comes across as the most compelling tracks here.
My rating: 80/100
