Bloodstar are here with their debut album and what solid album this is! ‘First Sighting’ is a short yet stacked slab of heavy metal that has all you to need to wake you up in the morning and give you that big buzz!

SHADOW KINGDOM RECORDS is proud to present BLOOD STAR’s highly anticipated debut album, First Sighting, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

Formed in 2017 by erstwhile Visigoth guitarist Jamison Palmer, in nearly no time at all, Salt Lake City’s BLOOD STAR have blossomed into their own entity. In 2020, the then-trio’s first recording was unleashed upon an unsuspecting public. Bearing the title The Fear, BLOOD STAR’s debut was a two-song firestorm of classic, cruising HEAVY METAL of a most authentically ’80s vintage. Released by SHADOW KINGDOM, The Fear no doubt set the bar unbelievably high for the band’s inevitable debut album. During the interim, the now-four-piece BLOOD STAR took to the stage and often, touring the United States twice, and then digitally releasing a series of covers which included Dokken, Uriah Heep, and the Highwaymen.

At long last, BLOOD STAR arrive with their first full-length statement, fittingly titled First Sighting. Encompassing seven songs across a concise 33 minutes, First Sighting fully displays all of BLOOD STAR’s sides – and powerfully. From roughed-up hard rock to moody heavy metal gallops to, of course, their highway-ready speed metal, the band skillfully recombine all their myriad influences – Dio, Thin Lizzy, W.A.S.P., Omen, Blue Öyster Cult, Riot, Demon, and earliest Def Leppard foremost among them, but not forgetting the likes of Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and solo Ozzy – into a veritable jukebox of ’80s metal glory, each song an anthem or an epic in its own right, and yet each one as different as the last. Classy and just a bit dark, dynamics are once again crucial here, locating that ever-elusive balance between restraint and force, but never resorting to trite quiet/loud constructs. To that, BLOOD STAR’s execution is simply deadly here, a result of road-testing all but one of the songs (“The Observers”); very much “live” and thankfully not slicked-up, you FEEL every note of First Sighting. And once again, vocalist Madeline Michelle bewitches almost effortlessly, but here she displays even more sides of her considerable repertoire, giving danger and drama to the album’s lyrical themes of revenge, triumph, futility of the rat race, self-destruction, and paranoia. And then, before you know it, First Sighting is over and you’re pressing “play” again…and again…and again!

No longer “a righteous new development in traditional metal,” BLOOD STAR sound like they’ve been here forever with First Sighting. The future of the past starts NOW

Shadow Kingdom Records

Review

First time listening to Bloodstar and All for Nothing starts things off luke-warm, rocking hard, with plenty of swing and swagger. This opener is on the more simple side of the spectrum yet with plenty of bounce creating an ear pleasing song to start of the album.

Fearless Priestess starts to get things moving more with its stomping and chugging guitar riffs. It’s got that more classic heavy metal feeling going on. The chorus lyrics Fearless Priestess will capture the ears of audiences and have them singing in no time. I get the impression that this will have people headbanging and rocking out. One of the stand out moments for however is the sweet solo that comes in over half way through. The tones and production are perfect, I just wish it was longer. Then we get back to more of the heavy riffs with the chorus lyrics Fearless Priestess once again giving more opportunities for the wave of horns and fist pumping.

No One Wins feels like a motorbike roaring down an endless road with the faster pace. Despite being quite a short track the introduction of a second tasty guitar singing in the distance and a fuzzy bass solo midway through provides that little bit extra spice and interest.

Now the opening riffs of The Observers are more like it! This time around I presume it Jamison Palmer taking centre stage on vocals. This track feels more wholesome, full of deep emotions and feelings delivered vocally that helps to create a driving force with the music. It has that proper classic heavy vibe going on and you have got to love it. The choruses are layered beautifully, thick and full of texture. To someone who is unaware of Jamisons vocals, I feel Bloodstar should take more of an opportunity to put his talent to use along side Madeline. Madeline takes lead in the second half with Jamison providing a low harmony, but i just wish there was more this. Still one of my favourite tracks

From the great hall echoes the acoustic twangs of guitar strings that open the next track Dawn Phenomenon. Melted together with drifting synth ideas, this straightforward idea for a track is some what of a curiosity and interesting choice to break up the album. I just wished it had developed into something more.

Cold Moon is up next and this is the song that the band chose to release as a single for the album. Cold Moon is another example of a wholesome track, which feels pumped up and I love that the kick pattern from Al Lester makes me think of something that John Bonham from led Zeppelin would deliver. Madeline gives another great vocal performance especially on the warm choruses, while the supercharged bass and guitar work of Jamison and Noah drives this pounding track forward with ease.

The short intro for Going Home of droning bass notes and echoing acoustic guitars is a great start. The concoction of monstrous rhythm work, sailing acoustics and searing vocals brings the magic throughout. And once again we get an another magnificent solo that ramps things up with its explosive flair and the harmonised section of the solo will blow your mind to pieces! This is what Bloodstar needs a little more of! We drift back to the acoustics in a well placed breakdown before Madeline comes alive with some powerful and energised vocals. The music takes a slightly moody, subtle turn for a short period before get more of that fierce power from everyone to finish up the song. One of the best songs on the album.

Wait To Die picks up the pace with some thrashy beats and double kick madness! Wait To Die is choc a bloc with guitars riffs galore, weaving ideas, and a chorus that will stick in your mind. Madeline’s vocals punch a hole in the sky, making this an excellent little number to finish of the album.

Conclusion Bloodstars new album ‘First Sighting’ is a solid first effort of hard striking riffs, big bass licks and pounding drum lines all glossed by the amazing vocals of Madeline Smith. While some tracks are simplistic in approach and nothing memorable it does have some strong contenders that make the album a worthy record to add to your collection. The first half of the album starts of a bit mediocre but the band really start to blossom when you hit tracks like The Observers and Going Home. As a last note, I hope they incorporate more of the amazing solo work and Jamisons vocals in future releases. The future looks Bright for Bloodstar!

THENWOTHM SCORE: 7/10