Name "Black Succubi" made me think of some kind of goth "black" metal band. And almost black, ambiguous cover art... But to my big surprise this Danish guys' stuff ain't some goth gayness, but robust, heavy rocking metal.

'Troubled Times' opens the album with balls-to-the-wall energy, showing gritty guitar sound, singer Jan Lundström's "Biff" Byford-ish powerful vocals (that Saxon guy), punchy rhythm section and when adding great song writing to that (fantastic middle part including tasty acoustic guitar indeed), the band have really nailed it down. Truly an ear catcher, a bloody fantastic heavy metal song. 'Dark Side' is a turning point, however. Zakk Wylde style heavy 'n' screaming guitar playing is starting to show up, and the song itself is part heavy metal, part Black Label Society type face-down-on-gravel rock, and the next song 'Into Oblivion' takes another step towards it. And that's where the album sticks to. Okay, there's some double kick drum parts and metal solos (some provided by Iron Fire guitarist Kirk Backarach and Mercyful Fate axe-maestro Hank Sherman), but that really doesn't make any kind of difference. Anyway you watch this, it can't be said to be unique in any way, but I really miss the heavy metal heard on the great opener. But hey, that's just the case of what you wanna listen to... This can't be blamed for being shite, no, because the songs tend to have memorable parts, much more so than any typical rock. However, after the opener, the songs get too similar and much more dull-edged.

It is needless to comment, that Black Succubi have potential. I think they seriously need to concentrate on compositions, because this feels like same few ideas was circulated over and over again. They wrote a great heavy metal song and decided to move to other things... Weird. Anyways, if you like Black Label Society and the like, give these fellas a chance, because they can be right down your alley.

Rating: 5 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
07/09/2008 20:14