Lady Beast The Inner Alchemist CD Review
The newest up and coming release from Dying Victims Productions is from the Steel city of Pittsburgh! Lady Beast. We know from the name, the band is led by a female, not a problem here. And let me say this, it seems that the female driven Metal bands are really taking over the community. Or at least it feels that way to me with bands like Mean Mistreater and Sign of The Jackal releasing scorching efforts in recent months. Lady Beast has been around awhile and has several releases under their belt. However, the band’s latest offering “The Inner Alchemist” is my first introduction to the band.
I can’t lie, this wasn’t a great listen to me the first time out, I had to listen several times before I could see the beauty of the album. It’s not bad by any means, it didn’t click instantly. The band’s approach has more to do with NWOBHM than normal Heavy Metal, which I don’t mind, but something about it didn’t gel with me. It sounded a bit flat production wise and still does in some parts, but the music and song arrangements finally won me over. If you’re a fan of twin guitar harmonies and lead guitar solos this album is flooded with them – think early Maiden albums but with the tone of a Ritchie Blackmore. Vocally, I’m still not sold completely, not that the vocals aren’t good, they are, but it feels like vocalist Deborah Levine is holding back a bit more on some of the songs that she should. I’m not sure if this is a producer in her ear but she could cut loose and liven the songs up a bit more. Don’t make any mistakes though, she’s a great singer, I just wanted the vocals to match the intensity of the music a bit more.
Stand out tracks are “Off with her Head”, “Inner Alchemist”, “Crones Crossroads” and “Feed your Fire”. This album will be released on both vinyl and CD formats in March, check it out and support the band and label. Metal like this in the states is becoming harder and harder to come by America needs more METAL and Lady Beast proudly waves that flag, I can’t help but support it.