Serpents Kiss

Releases like the debut from Serpents Kiss are one reason why I continue to write reviews and always strive to find new underground bands. Hailing from Northern England, Serpents Kiss is a 6 person band that utilizes two female lead vocalists in Kate and Catherine. Along with country mates Intense, Serpents Kiss is an excellent power metal band that relies more so on a traditional foundation rather than the Helloween style.

Opening with Black Wizard, guitarists Will and Mike lay down thick riffs that are well accompanied by the vocals of Kate and Catherine. Structurally, the song sort of calls to mind Be Quick Or Be Dead by Iron Maiden. Strider finds the dueling vocalists going to work against a male vocal as well. The female vocals intersperse between normal and a more "angelic" style. Slaves To The Light is another straight forward gallop that has hints of Iron Maiden and a touch of early W.A.S.P. Vipers has a certain Hammerfall feel to it and features some excellent fretwork as well. My personal favorite track on the disc goes to Kingdom which has a certain epic vibe and finds the female vocalists contrasting each other very exquisitely. The song has hints of early Chastain in the guitar department. Victory goes more in the direction of melodic speed metal than any other track on the release in the Stratovarius vein sans the overblown keyboards. Closing track Winter's Eve is lovely in its morose simplicity that once again features three different vocal lines.

Most importantly, Serpents Kiss is also able to write very catchy songs that stick with you after a couple of listens. The songs are straight forward and the soloing is strong and flashy all the while keeping in mind melody.