THE LONG ROAD HOME

Empyria takes us back to the 1980s with this album, which I guess is their fifth album. I won it in one of the PA prize draws and I know very little about this band.

The sound is as I stated very much the 1980s with Judas Priest, Queensryche and in particular Fates Warning as the references. Those and tonnes of other US heavy metal bands from that time. Progressive ? Well, not in my opinion. But the songs are catchy and melodic though. Very melodic in fact.

I normally detest the 1980s heavy metal with a burning passion. Too much hairspray, in my view. But I conceed that there is some good quality on this album. There is no great tracks though. Neither is it any bad tracks. Even the ballads are good here. Good, but not great. Anyway, I have had a cosy time with this album and I am not complaining or slagging it off. It this is your cup of tea; get this album. Others may go somewhere else.

3 stars