8

Italian metal band's debut

Straight up trad-metal fare here as Italian band Ibridoma channel Maiden on their eponymously titled debut full length LP. The aesthetics of these nine tracks clings closely to the tropes of classic metal – big chords, chugging riffs, high pitched vocals, us against the world type lyrics and plenty of denim and leather.

The arrangements are compact and largely successful as Ibridoma make sure they don't over stretch themselves. The riffs are prominent and precise but probably what James Hetfield would refer to as 'stock' but no matter. The rhythm section plod along a tad but there's nothing to criticise them for it's just that solidity is more of a quality I look for in a wall rather than a record. The mid-paced 'Alone in the Wind' is kind on Christian Bartolucci's voice and allows guitarist Marco Vitali to stretch himself with some scorching leads. The cheese course is wheeled out for wonky ballad 'Jenny' which makes KISS's 'Beth' seemed inspired. The last tracks return to safer metallic ground as Ibridoma stick to their strengths on tunes 'Night of Crow' and 'Page 26'.

There's not much to bemoan here as Ibridoma certainly don't have delusions of grandeur and their honesty and enthusiasm is pretty refreshing. It's like their Mamas no doubt used to say "metal is as metal does".