You know how some of those classic metal bands you still listen to used to sound like they had chick singers? I'm talking about Judas Priest, early Queensryche, Crimson Glory… Well, the duo WildeStarr actually has a chick singer who can evoke Rob Halford, Geoff Tate and Midnight at their highest pitches. On WildeStarr's debut CD, Arrival, powerhouse vocalist (and blonde hottie) London Wilde steals the thunder from renowned guitarist/bassist Dave Starr, whose resume includes Vicious Rumors, Vinnie Moore and David Chastain.
On the rousing opening track, "Rose in the Dark," Wilde reins in her voice slightly, waiting to cut loose until the title cut, which arrives with a dark Queensryche-style riff and finds Wilde singing in a deep, man-like voice before demonstrating her range. But then comes "Rise" — during which Wilde's inner Halford (circa Painkiller) takes over. Yes, she is definitely the, um, star of this album, but let's give some credit to Starr. London writes lyrics like "Terrorized/In the dark a light of reason/Beyond the walls of thought/We stand and fight," but Starr distinctly penned each of these 10 songs; none of them sound alike (thanks largely to Wilde's vocal acrobatics) but they all belong together. Arrival is not your typical gothic-tinged female-fronted band, nor does it feel the need to always be angry and vitriolic — which makes WildeStarr a refreshing entry into an overcrowded metal scene.
Track Listing:
1) Rose in the Dark
2) Arrival
3) Touching God
4) Rise
5) Down of the Sun
6) In This World
7) Generation Next
8) Nevermore
9) Voice it the Silence
10) The Chain
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