Breaker - In Days Of Heavy Metal (1982)

Just a four track EP this one. A bit of an obscurity with a great title, blessed in a dark, sinister-looking cover, the ten-minute title track sounds like something to be played at a medieval feast with those almost jaunty guitars and weird effects. the track soon shifts into very melodic metal with an epic, fantasy edge, particularly in the vocals and song structure which boasts several differing passages suggesting a sprawling concept. A shame the band got nowhere because this is pretty accomplished, albeit straight forward metal that has a lot of soul. The title track provides a great, almost Gothic atmosphere. Rik Anthony isn't the greatest metal vocalist of all time, but his voice is complemented by the driving guitars of Kevin Bradley. The ultra catchy 'Living Free' has an almost poppy edge until the killer guitars come in. Breaker come across as a NWOBHM and early glam stomp, shuffling by on Doug Jones' drums. these Candadian's sure know how to rock, 'Satan's Lyre' has a sligthly harder edge to its approach, and I would certainly say it was a compliment to describe them as vintage metal. 7/10