In recent days there has been talk more and more of the demise of what we know as Heavy Metal. With many classic bands now well into their fifties and sixties there seems to be a finite point where our classics will become relics of history. Needing a new breed of band we look towards new talent, enter C.O.P UK.

[tracklist]

1. The Core
2. My Blood
3. KissOf An Angel
4. Take It To The Grave
5. No Place For Heaven
6. Burn Hell
7. Halo
8. Catch Me If You Can
9. No Mans Land
10. One In A Million
11. Stranger Than Fiction
    [/tracklist][details]
    [length]44:00[/length]
    [record_label]UDR Records[/record_label]
    [release_date]January 29th 2016[/release_date]
    [/details]Stadium rock riffs are the order of the day here, a simplistic combination of Bon Jovi style choruses on “Take It To The Grave” and the classic boot stomping groove coupled with slight synth tingling bring a sense of classic Hair Metal reminiscing it’s hey day. Varying from the faster paced in your face tracks the likes of “The Core” where singer Dale Rad life delivers a fantastic performance coupled with the slight harmony conjures energy to the slower classic and slightly predictable ballads of “Kiss Of An Angel“.

    Each track staying well within the six minute mark, the song’s structure are simplistic illustrating a fairly straightforward idea. Melody seems to be paramount in Crimes of Passion however there are times when the band opt for a slightly different key perhaps not quite suited to the song. “Burn Hell” seems to be one nevertheless the musicianship of guitarists Charles Staton and Andrew Mewse compliment each other fantastically to ensure that the classic element of the eighties is not indeed lost the solo.

    With strong choruses being of huge importance in the style of Heavy Metal there are at times misplaced hooks that could have had more impact, that being said this is by no means a terrible album. “Catch Me If You Can” kicks up the pace once more that would fit perfectly in a classic eighties training montage. Complete with the eighties trimmings of littered pinch harmonics, giving the sense of energy save for the slightly misplaced and unnecessary effects on the guitar. “No Mans Land” brings the pace down once again before delivering some of the best harmonies in the record, coupled with a chorus that follows the initial melody makes the track easily a standout.

    Ultimately No Place For An Angel plays how you might think it would. Bringing forward an idea that is anything but revolutionary for fans of Metal the likes of Helloween and their ilk. C.O.P UK have delivered an album that will no doubt intrigue fans of the genre but for those looking for the album that would revolutionise it then look elsewhere.

     

    [verdict]Maybe[/verdict]
    [why]A fairly solid effort, well written songs can sometimes go off the beaten path unexpectedly but ultimately hold the hallmarks of Heavy Metal. Perfect for the readily initiated but won’t win over any new fans.[/why]

If you like what you read / heard you can pick up the new album here!