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METAL DETEKTOR
Violence And Pride

Rude Awakening (2025)
Rating: 6.5/10

I didn’t realise that this Italian bunch has been around for 25 years. I’m not sure where they’ve been hiding but this is their third full-length release, although it’s been five years since the last effort, The Battle Of Daytona, while debut album, H.O.T. (Hold On Tight), was released in 2008.

Metal Detektor exists somewhere between Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Saxon and fellow Italians Vanadium. There are plenty of striking melodies, strong vocals and traditional touches as we kick off with the steady ‘Sister Gone Mad’. Vocalist Francesco Valente has a clear powerful tone that commands your attention and transports you to the edges of power metal.

The title cut is a prime example of such a dynamic as the quintet smoothly transitions from a Maiden-esque fluidity to something more Euro metal focused due to the drive of the guitars. Axe men Roberto Ventura and Yuri Bernardini do a fine job here; technical solos seamlessly erupt from sublime melodious riffs, the result being a pure heavy metal composition.

‘Wild Frontier’, although somewhat glossy, has that striding confidence, especially with that soaring chorus. Meanwhile, ‘Grendel Returns’ boasts a strong majestic air, but also reminds me why I have an on / off relationship with this type of contemporary sounding metal.

For all its huff and puff there is a layer of cold blandness to Violence And Pride, the quintet failing to light enough fires to keep me warm. Even with the thrashier outbursts of ‘Shadowrunner’ I feel like I’m hearing a combo suited to the European festival unit, but not my record collection. Even so, it’s still more than competent heavy metal and I say good on them.

Neil Arnold

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