Heavy Maytal - Iron Savior : "Awesome Anthems Of The Galaxy"

It is no mistake that this German power metal band sounds like a more pumped-up version of the Scorpions. This album is a collection of 80s pop covers that the band is tackling. It opens with "Fame" the dramatic Irene Cara anthem, which they take in the expected direction, while being true to at least the vocal, along with the layers of backing vocals. The Mike and the Mechanics song "All I Need Is a Miracle " lends itself to their bright and over-the-top take on metal. There is a magnitude of harmony guitar layers, though the verses stick to what made the original work, by giving the vocals room to breathe. I prefer what they are doing here to the previous song.

Pat is pulling the vocals pretty well for 62, though he is getting some love in the studio. I am not sure Jermaine Jackson's "When the Rain Begins to Fall" needed to be covered, though it lends itself to this kind of treatment well. They certainly have a thing for "Flashdance," as there is also a cover of "Maniac" here. It's a better song, so of course, that results in what they are doing here working better. As a song, it's darker than the first few songs they have chosen, while working off the typical 80s writing formula. They don't get too carried away on the chorus, so it works better than what we have heard so far on this album. 

The problem with this style of metal is that it often sounds too happy and does not carry enough danger and darkness to it, making it sound less heavy than other approaches to metal. This can be heard on Aha's "Take On Me," whih has a more haunting sound than their version which finds the melody leading into the verses to become to hipper. When it gets to the chorus, you are gone, you are expecting the note to be nailed Judas Priest, and instead, the power is produced out of it. I like the original, so this is a little bit of a disappointment, but they tried with what they are working with. I do not have any emotional connection to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, so their version of "Relax." does not really leave much of an impression on me, though they are clsoer to the original than expected, and have a chunky riff thrown in for good measure. 

Jesus Christ, what is the deal with their fixation on 'Flashdance" as we also get a version of 'What a Feeling." His voice does not feel as layered in effect on this one. I never really cared about the chorus of this one, but they pull it off. Then they go into a power ballad for "Against All Odds." This finds the drums driving it more than the Phil Collins version; this tempo does not allow for the vocals to take their time and explore the nuance of the original. Instead, it comes across more like Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen. I hate Journey, so I went into their cover of ' Seperate Ways" expecting something along the lines of Dream Theater. What ends up happening is not that bad; in fact, it is one of the album's heavier moments. But now I can not unhear the Sammy Hagar element. 

The song selection begins to improve with the Pet Shop Boys 'Suburbia." Though with the wailing guitar solo and the vocals, it is hard to trace back to the original until the chorus, and even then, the more aggressive drumming and soaring vocals obscure it. "Here Comes the Rain Again" has a lurking darkness in the urgent delivery Lennox brought to the original; the drum's momentum continues to push the tempo away from it.  They make some poor song choices that can't be redeemed, then use a similar formula on them or make them worse by pushing the bpm up on things like "She's Like the Wind" and "Forever Young". 

"Since You've Been Gone" sounds more like Queen here. A little too happy for my tastes, but it's a well-done cover of a better song rather than some of the turkeys they should have left buried. Blondie's "Call Me" is heavy in it's on way for new wave, but they work off this, though it's not as dark as the original, but keep the drive more appropriate It's well done but often to upbeat and celebratory for my taste so I will give this one an 8. 

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