While Gothenburg, Sweden is well known for its 90s death metal scene, it is also renowned for more traditional heavy metal with the likes of Helvetets Port, RAM, Dream Evil and Hammerfall.  Air Raid is the latest band looking to join the ranks of these hometown heroes. Formed in 2009, the band dropped a buzz-worthy demo in 2011 and shortly thereafter signed to Stormspell Records. Now, armed with five new songs on this EP entitled Danger Ahead, Air Raid is set to trip countless alarms worldwide.

“When the Sky Turns Red” kicks off the EP with of all things, an air raid siren (surprise, surprise). Yes, cheesy and totally expected but thankfully, just a short snippet. On its heels, vocalist Michael Rinakakis hits the stratosphere with a scream reminiscent of Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate opening wail on their anthem “Queen of the Reich,” though not nearly as sustained it’s still a very commanding call for attack. This walloping track has the all markings to become the band’s signature song as years should indubitably show. The full frontal assault continues with each ensuing track, pummeling the listener’s ears with relentless double bass drumming, screeching guitars and some of the best Dickinson inspired caterwauling ever recorded. Fueled by the twin guitar attack supplied by Andreas Johansson and Johan Karlsson, this EP is a firestorm of unabashed 80s metal and NWOBHM dragged across the decades with very little “space junk” in tow.

I had numerous evocations zipping by with each listen; Dokken, Armored Saint, Maiden, TKO, Saxon, Priest, Malice and more, as if howling faintly from a time warp tunnel. The band’s passion is clearly evident on other soon-to-be-classics, “Annihilation” and “Metal Cult” which display remarkable musicianship and memorable songwriting. I might add that not everything is as impressive though, as the quality dips slightly with the last two new studio tracks, the somewhat generic “Midnight Burner” and the overly flashy “Free at Last.” The EP is rounded out by the bonus tracks that made up the band’s 2011 demo and while not produced on the same level as the prior five tracks, they add historical context. 

Danger Ahead is highly enjoyable and will most certainly be a worthwhile acquisition for those who pine for the return of the early 80s metal sound.  Air Raid goes on my watch list as their potential has not been fully realized with this EP. I can only hope that their next soirée will include that all important atomic bomb. Ahhhhh cheese out.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  When the Sky Turns Red
2.  Annihilation
3.  The Metal Cult
4.  Midnight Burner
5.  Free at Last

BONUS TRACKS:
6.  Traitors' Gate (Demo)
7.  Fight Street (Demo)

Total playing time:  32:42

Release Date: April 30th, 2012
Label: Stormspell Records

Air Raid - Danger Ahead EP

Reviewer: M.J.

May 26, 2012