DippoMagoo In 2013 Swedish power metal group Lancer entered the scene with their highly addictive self-titled debut, an album which had a very strong 80’s feel to it from start to finish, mixing elements of early Helloween and classic Maiden together to make for a style that was perhaps a bit cliche, but certainly a lot of fun to listen to. There was nothing overly original about their debut, but they pulled the sound off well enough that I was left wondering if they’d be able to top themselves. Two years later, they’ve returned with their sophomore release, the appropriately titled Second Storm, and once again the band has delivered a delightful slice of 80’s power/speed metal that’s all killer and no filler,, improving on their already strong debut.

As before, their sound can best be described as a mix between very early Helloween (I’m talking Walls of Jericho/Keeper of the Seven Keys era) and mid/late 80’s Iron Maiden. The guitars often have that distinct sound of classic Maiden to them, with galloping riffs throughout, and the bass comes through loud and clear (the mixing on this album is exceptionally good,) but the tempo is usually very fast on most tracks, which gives it more of a power/speed metal feel. If anything, I find this album to be even speedier than their debut, and slightly heavier at times, but otherwise it’s pretty much a continuation of what worked before, except with even better execution.

Performances are strong across the board. Each instrument can be heard very clearly, and the music is very high energy throughout, just like the debut. The guitar work is especially strong throughout, and many tracks have some nice melodic solos and excellent extended instrumental portions where the guitars really shine. Singer Isak Stenvall remains a perfect fit for the band, showcasing his excellent high pitched but clear power vocals throughout the speedier portions, while toning it down and singing very softly during the few slower portions. As before, I find I like him even more on the slower, more melodic sections, but he sounds great throughout.

The biggest area where the band has improved is in the songwriting. Their debut was consistently solid, though I found a couple tracks to be slightly weaker than the rest, while Second Storm has no less than great songs, but a couple tracks stand out as being even better than the rest. One of those is opening track “Running From the Tyrant”, a super speedy track which alternates between very energetic verses and an outstanding chorus, kicking the album off on a clear high note. But perhaps my favorite song is the near 10 minute epic “Aton”, a track which starts off with slow paced verses and another amazing chorus, before speeding up for an epic instrumental section in the middle, and then slowing down once again for a ballad like section, before picking up the tempo once again towards the end. It’s easily the most complicated track Lancer has done so far, and everything sounds great, from the epic vocal melodies of the first half to the outstanding instrumental work in the second half. The only other slower track on the album is “Eyes of the Liar”, the only real traditional heavy metal track on the album, and while it’ one of the more straight-forward tracks, it’s another one that manages to be very fun and memorable.

Other highlights include “Iwo Jima”, a song I’d describe as Iron Maiden on speed, as it demonstrates that classic guitar sound very well, but pairs it up with double bass drumming during the verses, to make for one very addictive song. That track also has a particularly impressive solo section. Next is “Masters and Crowns”, a track I initially didn’t like to much, but it has grown on me quite a bit over time. The verses are mid paced and the section just before the chorus is perhaps the one part of the album I flat out dislike (it just sounds really awkward and forced to me,) but as soon as the chorus hits for the first time, track picks up steam and keeps improving as it goes along. Influences of Helloween can be found throughout the album, but they’re especially obvious on tracks like “Behind the Walls” and “Steelbreaker”, two tracks which feature a rawer, more speed metal infused sound. The former in particular feels like it could have been a lost track from one of the Keeper albums, especially during the verses. Lastly, the closing track “Fools Marches On” is yet another very fast paced track, which is excellent throughout, before closing with a very nice quiet section where Isak gets to showcase his softer vocals.

Second Storm can be summed up as “more of the same, but better”, and that’s pretty much how I’d describe it. Anyone not impressed by Lancer on their debut is not likely to change their minds with this one, but fans of their classic Helloween meets Iron Maiden sound are sure to be impressed once again, while fans of 80’s power/speed metal are highly recommended to check it out.

originally written for myglobalmind (http://myglobalmind.com/2015/04/23/lancer-second-storm-review/)

Kev Rowland The debut album from Swedish act Lancer is a rather pleasant romp through power metal a la Halloween or Hammerfall, and feels fresh and vibrant. These guys are a real find, with singer Isak Stenvall being a definite talent – he has a great range and boy can he hit those high notes. But, I am not sure if they have had the right producers at work here. I’m not sure if the final product is exactly how the band normally sound as there is a feeling that he heaviness has been taken away to some extent and that they have moved more into a melodic rock area, almost AOR, as opposed to thumping along with the guitars soaring and the drum and bass driving them through.

It is an album that I have enjoyed immensely, but there is a definite feeling of 80’s production and I want to hear the guitars with way more edge. The interplay between Peter and Fredrik is great, and I am sure that in the live environment they are probably quite some force, but there is a feeling of power metal-lite as opposed to ball crunching sounds and passion. But, I have enjoyed playing this album a great deal, but if there was less pop and more metal than I know I would have enjoyed it even more.

Time Signature Young and alive...

Genre: traditional heavy metal

Another agent in the current Swedish wave of retro heavy metal, Lancer recently released their eponymous debut album, proving that old school metal is very much alive and still has a lot to offer (in fact, I think old school metal has more to offer than a lot of modern metal, but that is a discussion for another day).

Drawing in particular on NWoBHM, Lancer make extensive use of twin guitars on their debut album, which automatically scores them a lot of points in my book, since I am a sucker for twin guitar leads. With its use of classic metal chord progressions, galloping bass lines, and at times soaring vocals, there definitely seems to be a heavy Iron Maiden influence on the album, without Lancer being a bunch of copycats.

That being said, there is another dimension to Lancer's debut album, which is grounded in early European power metal (that is, before it became silly and cheesy). Specifically the chorus lines have the same epic and catchy feel to them as heard in Euro power metal, many of the vocal deliveries being, melody-wise, reminiscent of the two Kiske-fronted "Seven Keys" classics. Moreoever, several tracks have that typical Euro power metal energy - just check out 'Young and Alive', 'Dreamchasers', and 'Mr. Starlight', now that's how I like my Euro power metal.

Lancer's debut, with its traditional metal and early Euro-power metal aesthetics should appeal to both fans of classic metal and power metal fans who prefer the early kind of cheese-free power metal.

J-Man Sporting a sound that borrows from classic British heavy metal and German power metal, the self-titled debut from Swedish act Lancer is an album that sounds totally old school from all fronts. The epic choruses, thunderous riffs, and neoclassical solos all transport the listener to the glory days of eighties' metal, so fans of acts like Iron Maiden or Helloween should have no trouble finding plenty to like here. Lancer isn't an album that sounds particularly unique when put next to all of the other 'retro' heavy metal releases, but it is executed with enough conviction to make for a recommendable listen.

As previously mentioned, Lancer plays melodic power metal that draws from German power metal acts like Helloween or Gamma Ray and NWoBHM acts like Iron Maiden. This is a style that has been done to death recently, but Lancer still does a good job at delivering solid compositions within the confines of the genre. Although it's not something that will set the world on fire, Lancer contains enough memorable choruses, kick-ass riffs, and blistering leads to largely make up for its rather safe approach. I have a tough time imagining a classic metal fan that wouldn't enjoy the hell out of tracks like "Purple Sky", "Deja Vu", and especially the epic "Between the Devil and the Deep".

At the end of the day, Lancer is not a must-have release due to its rather unadventurous attitude, but this could actually be an asset to the album if you miss the days of eighties' melodic metal. Lancer faithfully delivers the style with some really great tunes, and if you're in search of old school power metal, this wouldn't be a bad place to look at all.

adg211288 Back in 1987, a German band called Helloween pioneered the so called European sound of the power metal genre with a pair of albums called Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I & II. Although these two albums laid much of the groundwork for the countless bands and variations on the genre that would follow, with the possible exception of the related band Gamma Ray, nothing has ever come out that has really matched the feel of the two Keeper albums. It was power metal but with a strong vibe of 80’s heavy metal not unlike what you’d expect to hear from the more traditional bands that were around at the time, particular out of the NWoBHM. Power metal seemed to quickly evolve to have what could be seen as a typical sound, and even Helloween themselves never made another album that captured quite the same sound. As I said, Gamma Ray, formed by former Helloween member Kai Hansen, may be the exception as their classic album Land of the Free has often been considered to be Keeper of the Seven Keys Part III, but no one else has come even close to matching that same sound. Until now that is. Enter the Swedish band Lancer and their self-titled debut full-length (2013), which boasts of a sound that could easily claim to be a lost Helloween album from the time between Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II and the less highly acclaimed Pink Bubbles Go Ape.

Lancer’s debut contains perhaps a bit more traditional heavy metal than either of Helloween’s classics, but the basis of what pioneered power metal is all here and present and correct. Power metal basically translates as fast melodic music, and that’s pretty much what you get with Lancer. At the same time there is plenty of inspiration to be heard from classic metal, both with some of the riffs and as with Keepers I & II, the overall vibe of the music. This music is old school and unashamed of it. Old school power metal isn’t something you hear of really, when the term comes it its usually ‘old school heavy metal’ or ‘old school death metal’, so Lancer comes across as something which by definition is the same, but as far as this revivalist stuff goes, it’s surprisingly fresh, and the songs are damn great as well. Stuff like Purple Sky and Mr. Starlight come across as anthems that will stick with you a long time. A few parts of the album put me more firmly in mind of a more modern power metal sound, where the fast riffs stand out above all else, such as Young & Alive. Finally you get a few tracks much more traditional metal orientated, like Between the Devil and the Deep.

Lancer has a great energy on this album, which has produced no bad songs. They are equally competent playing in both the heavy and power metal styles and mix and match the two up seamlessly. While the album never really manages to stand out as being anything beyond great, there is plenty of nostalgic value to be found here as there is with any old school release worth its salt. Better yet is that despite the old school feel Lancer doesn’t feel at all dated. A great album rating is deserved.

83/100

(Originally written for Heavy Metal Haven (http://metaltube.freeforums.org/lancer-lancer-t2720.html))