You can add Striker (from Canada), to the current wave of traditional New Wave of British Heavy Metal influenced bands along with Enforcer, Portrait, Cauldron, Steelwing, Skull Fist, and Wolf. Like these other bands, Striker combine the classic 80s heavy metal riffing, at times aggressive (speed metal) tempos, melodic twin guitar leads, and vocals of Maiden and Priest, to Raven, to Saxon (‘Phoenix Lights’ riff and drive), even Praying Mantis in the melodic hard rock qualities (see the chorus for ‘Out For Blood’), to Riot. And they have a pretty impressive resume thus far; Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Skid Row) produced their second album, “Armed to the Teeth”, direct support to Metallica for two sold out shows at Rexall Place in Edmonton, and have played a few European festivals.

Took me a few minutes to figure out who singer Dan Clearly sounded like, and then on ‘Too Late’ it all came together – Tony Harnell and TNT. The song has those qualities; the heavier riffs, guitar harmonies with the melodic vocal. ‘Stand In The Fire’ gets a little heavier where I draw a lineage to Impellitteri (and that level of shredding throughout), while ‘The Iron Never Lies’ uses some pounding punchy drums and double bass sprinkled throughout, pulling back for the chorus and lead break. ‘Escape From Shred City’ instrumental is exactly that, and there is no way of getting out. ’Outlaw’ uses a crunchier riff (with complimenting lead), and gallop, reminisce of Iced Earth or Brainstorm. Lots of shredding on this one too.

Damn, can’t think of where I’ve heard this before…but nice punch, drive, big gang backing vocals to ‘Locked In’, which is one of my favorites. ‘United’ also has another great memorable kick off with that riff and beat. A familiarity to something from Seven Witches “Xiled to Infinity and One” and “Passage to the Other Side”, Accept, to Iron Maiden with the vocal “Whoas”. All around a solid band who incorporate their influences into original new music that sounds fresh from the new generation, carrying on what the godfathers taught us makes great hard rock and heavy metal music.