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Heaven's Trail: Lethal Mind
Heaven's Trail - Lethal Mind Music Review

Heaven's Trail: Lethal Mind

Melodic Heavy Metal Rock
3.0/5.0

Website (Label)
Escape Music
Released: 25.10.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 24.10.2018

Heaven's Trail is a new band created by guitarist Barish Kepic, formerly of Jaded Heart, Powerworld, and Evidence One. His band features notable German rock and metal musicians, including Rick Altzi from Masterplan on vocals. Kepic and Heaven's Trail drop their debut album Lethal Mind for UK's Escape Music label.

Heaven's Trail Band Photo Click For Larger Image

Heaven's Trail

This review will be brief, or at the very least, I will attempt to make it so, with the reason quickly forthcoming. Fundamentally, with guitarist Kepic in charge, Heaven's Trail plays guitar-centered melodic heavy metal rock. In his songwriting and arrangements, most every song has some familiar suspects: sharp riffs and a heavy bottom end for a metal edge, an abundance of rock rhythm and groove, and then all these things leading to Kepic ripping off some dandy guitar solos. Additionally, most all songs are wrapped in acceptable melodies and memorable refrains. And that's all good.

The wild card here for me was the vocals. As usual, I listened to the music before I read the press one-sheet. I do this simply because I don't want to do the first with preconceived expectations. But with my first spin of Lethal Mind, I had two reactions. First, I did not like the raspy sore throat vocals. Second, I thought I recognized the voice, but couldn't put my finger on the singer. On to the label's one-sheet and there was Rick Altzi. I'm just not a fan. While others may appreciate his style, even if the music may be terrific, I find myself suffering through his vocal presence. Needless to say, I found the songwriting and melodic heavy metal rock of Heaven's Trail impressive and enjoyable, but the vocals not so much. It's up to you to decide where your interest lies.


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The Bottom Line

I found the songwriting and melodic heavy metal rock of Heaven's Trail impressive and enjoyable, but the vocals not so much. It's up to you to decide where your interest lies.

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