Di'Anno - Nomad 3.5/5
Reviewed: 2-17-06
Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Mad man in the attic
3. War machine
4. Brothers of the tomb
5. P.O.V. 2000
6. The living dead
7. Nomad
8. S.A.T.A.N.
9. Cold world
10. Do or die
11. Dog dead
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This latest CD by the metal veteran is surprisingly strong, fresh, and enjoyable output.
Those familiar with the once front man and singer of Iron Maiden know that he has an interesting career since leaving the band, including the pure bullet-belt-metal of the Paul Di'Anno's Battlezone stint (at least the original 2 releases) and Killers. It has included perhaps understandable but too obvious Maiden recidivism (see the cover of "Remember tomorrow" on 'Murder one', the entire 'South American Assault' live album, and appearance on an Iron Maiden tribute CD). Killers' debut CD, 'Murder one', in 1992, was a surprisingly awesome CD (albeit with a couple of clunkers on it) that arose in the U.S.'s very darkest of metal ages, with a CD full of pure, whole-hearted classic 80s metal triumph. This was followed by the frankly dismal 'Menace to society', where the band appeared ready to dish out a bowl of thuggish quasi-rap Biohazard styled nu-metal.
'Nomad', a 2000 release, catching me by surprise, is a hearty and enjoyable return for the metal icon. While Di'Anno's voice is understandably a shade worn after all these years, the energy of the CD is buoyed by sharp, clear, crunchy production and playing that mimics more late 80s metal/quasi-thrash than early/mid-80s metal like 'Murder one'. The band he's assembled obviously has the enthusiasm and the talent to give him the best possible output. There is definitely one dialed up one more notch on the aggression meter than 'Murder one' or Battlezone, but that being said, it's still pretty direct and solid in the heavy metal zone. The title track stands out as the most powerful song to me, and songs like "The living dead", with a kind of power metal ballad sensibility, versus "P.O.V. 2000" with a more in your face, thrashy attitude, or the evil "S.A.T.A.N.", balance out a very solid release. The aggression is constantly complemented with strong hooks and melody. About the only thing you can say is that it doesn't really resemble Iron Maiden in any way, but that's not a bad thing, given the history.
If you want to just hear a pure, susurrating sweet steel metal riff burning in your brain, you've come to the right place. Overall, if you're a fan of CDs like 'Murder one', and direct, aggressive, but melodic and midtempo American style metal, such as the heaviest Savatage, Laaz Rocket, and Metal Church, this is a fulfilling slab of veteran steel.
CRAIG
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