BLACK HAWK „Soulkeeper”

Fastball Music, 2023

Music: Heavy Metal
Website: https://www.black-hawk-music.de
Duration: 49:02 (10 tracks)
Country: Germany

When I got this album for review and looked at the cover, I thought – there will be something motorcycle related. The graphics from the cover could be found on the backs of any motorcyclist jacket without shame. When I researched the band, it turned out that I got my hands on material from people who started in 1981. According to press materials, they drew inspiration from classics such as SAXON, JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT or IRON MAIDEN. No doubt about that while listening to the album. Gentlemen fit themselves in genre and they are very good there. You can hear that they play what they like and I have no doubt that they have a large group of fans who are hungry for such sounds.

The very beginning of the album confirmed my belief that I would be dealing with pure heavy metal. From the first vocal entry in “Soulkeeper” you can hear that there will be no bullshit and it will be raw. The slight vocal chaos on the verse becomes arranged in a “stadium” chorus in the style of ACCEPT or GRAVE DIGGER, in which the whole band and a few guests from other bands perform. The solo is not virtuosic, but you can see years of experience. Everything fits together perfectly – there are no unnecessary sounds and the melodies are very catchy. The first track is also the single for which a music video was recorded.

If I were to pick on something, I personally don’t like the vocal manner used in the verse (cool timbre, but the key floats), although I understand the idea. In the remaining tracks I did not come across this type of vocal impurity (maybe it was too high here?).

Throughout the album you can hear the clash of two schools of heavy metal – English and German. The patents of the bands mentioned in the introduction are used wisely to create nice compositions. The guitars are like in an opener – there is not too many sounds, but the solos are very melodious – I like it. The text layer is adequate to the style.

I liked the songs “Better Times”, “Bells Of Death” and “Angry Machines” the most.

The production of the material is at a high level. The sound is powerful, everything is played very clearly, the drums are dynamic and the vocals stand out and are clear.

The band does not reinvent the wheel musically, but it reliably uses the tools within its style. The whole album is very energetic. I would love to go to a concert where these songs would be played.

Track List:
1. Soulkeeper
2. Angry Machines
3. War Zone
4. Better Times
5. Survivor
6. Bells Of Death
7. Bullet
8. Mystic
9. We Stay Strong
10. Rock`n`Roll In My Head

Line-up:
Wolfgang Tewes – Guitars
Udo Bethke – Vocals
Michael “Zottel” Wiekenberg – Bass
Ovidiu Zeres – Drums

Rate: 6.0/10