So, on the new release from Manimal. . .Wait a minute. . .The band is called "Manimal"? Are they not aware that Manimal was a super-hokey 80s TV series from Glen A. Larson? Are they paying homage to one of the worst TV shows of all time, or do they just think that it's a cool-sounding name? I know…they got it from the band W.A.S.P. and the song by the same name. Hahaha, sorry, I got momentarily distracted. Don't judge a book by its cover - - or a band by its name.

There are many influences to be heard on Manimal's fourth album, "Trapped in the Shadows". Vocals: the obvious link is Rob Halford of Judas Priest. I assume that this is a common comparison for Manimal; at times their Priest emulation becomes imitation. There's also a smidge of Dream Theater, Vanishing Point, Dio, and possibly some Alex Tecchio of Hades and Non-fiction in Julien Cassarino's voice. Guitars and instrumentation: Judas Priest again - - especially during the Painkiller era - - but also King Diamond/Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Helloween, Accept, and a bit of the Queensryche. Interestingly, the band themselves cite Faith No More, but I don't hear it on this record. That's some pretty impressive genetic encoding material.

"Trapped in the Shadows" is a great-sounding, well-produced record. They play and write effective, straight-forward Metal/Thrash tunes with confidence and gusto. The power chords add depth behind the Downing-Tipton-esque single-note riffs. It's hard to identify any timeless classics; there's no ‘You've Got Another Thing Comin'’, ‘Breaking the Law’, or even a ‘Love Bites’ here, but there are plenty on the level of ‘You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise’ or ‘Rock Hard, Ride Free’. That's certainly good enough for me. Sure, there are a number throwaway tracks, but the highlights are enough to validate. ‘Invincible’ is probably the best of the bunch, but also check out ‘The Journey’, if for no other reason than the tastefully subdued guest appearance by Udo Dirkschneider. Udo Dirkschneider!!!

So, apologies to the band for having some fun with their name. It would seem that they'd planned to call it quits after the third album in 2012, so "Trapped in the Shadows" is really bonus material for their fans. If you like classic, moderate stuff in the heavier neighborhoods of NWOBM, then the good tracks here are worth your time.