Seattle’s Substratum has been waving the traditional heavy metal flag for more than a decade, with a twin-guitar sound and a husky-voiced female lead singer. The six-song, 34-minute EP Stratosphere entered the earth’s atmosphere in 2018, but we somehow missed it.
That’s a shame, as this is solid and unwavering classic metal in the vein of Chastain, Hellion and that ilk. Singer Amy Lee Carlson screams and chuckles and convincingly delivers on tough, crisp and melodic songs like the serrated opener “Night Sweats,” the soaring ballad “Sun Rider” and the thrashy “Deadly Will.” (Substratum even covers the obscure New Wave of British Heavy Metal band Satanic Rites with “Cast My Spell.”) There’s a sense of urgency to these performances, as if the band members might never have a chance to prove themselves again.
Here's hoping they do. For now, though, Stratosphere is a worthy addition to your collection of releases by unsung metal warriors.
Track Listing
1. Night Sweats
2. To Tame the Burning Blade
3. Sun Rider
4. Cast My Spell
5. Deadly Will
6. Lost Shores
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