Last Updated on 06:24 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Heavy Metal
Country: Canada
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Year: 2021
I feel really proud when I discover underground bands either coming from the past or present time. It’s like a personal triumph or something…I don’t know why I just feel it and even though it sounds ridiculous as I’m only a listener still it feels fantastic, hahaha. Anyway Sandstorm comes from Canada and this is their sophomore release following their debut full length “Time to Strike” that was out in 2020’s spring. “Desert Warrior” is a 4-track EP and it sounds so warm and familiar to any fanatic of obscure Heavy Metal that probably will ring many bells to whoever buys the record. No I don’t mean they are just good students that created a decent clone. “Desert Warrior” has a personal sound as their influences are well filtered. Speaking of influences we must speak about Brats and/or early Mercyful Fate, a couple of N.W.O.B.H.M. and mostly F.W.O.S.H.M. obscure bands of the 80’s. The Vancouver-based band also brings me in mind the mighty Lethal Steel from Stockholm, Sweden. The use of keyboards gives extra cult vibes while there’s a nostalgic aura and an epic atmosphere spread in the entirety of the EP. The power-trio created a 21 minutes long disc featuring well-crafted compositions based on simple yet charming hot rockin’ guitars, sword-wielding style, classic late ‘60s /early ‘70s sci-fi themes, medieval magic and the pure love for Heavy Metal, all melted to the one and only (Swedish) Heavy Metal cauldron of the 80’s that gave birth to so many anthems of our music. Available via Dying Victims Productions on CD, 12” vinyl and cassette formats.