Snake Eyes
Luke Appleton releases his debut album, ‘Snake Eyes’ and I must say, it was not what I was expecting. Luke is the bassist in American heavy metal band ‘Iced Earth’ and also plays guitar in ‘Absolva’ an equally heavy band. Safe to say, when I pressed play, I was expecting something equally heavy. How wrong was I! What came out of the speakers was an incredible acoustic album.
Featuring guest contributions from original Iced Earth singer Gene Adam, as well as Absolva frontman Blaze Bayley guitarist Chris Appleton, Metaprism singer Theresa Smith and Babylon Fire guitarist Rishi Mehta.
The album bursts into life, with the first track ‘Inside Out’. It has a chorus that just grabs you, ‘The world is Inside out’. An acoustic metal anthem, if ever there was one. Continuing with the anthemic theme, ‘Inside Out’ gives way to ‘Medusa’. A song that could hold its own against any of the heavy weight metal mainstays. Think Dio or Maiden and you’re somewhere close to the epicness of this tune.
The title track is slower and moodier, with an equally smooth lead guitar part running over the top. The added lead guitar works and really complements Appleton’s vocal delivery. A really wonderful track, different in tempo to the first two and it suggests something is about to happen musically.
And it does. Cue ‘First Star’, my favourite track on the album. It is a song, almost medieval in style. You could imagine it featuring in an episode of Game of Thrones, or being played by a bunch of Hobbits in the Shire! But, the biggest surprise is the inclusion of vocalist Theresa Smith. Both their voices gel so brilliantly, with superb harmonies running right through the song. This is a collaboration that I would love to see more of.
The album continues and we get to ‘Slay the Hydra’. Yet another anthem in the making. It features original Iced Earth lead singer Gene Adam, which gives the song somewhat of a classic feel. An electric guitar bursts in mid way through the song, which is a nice touch, reminding us that this isn’t just an acoustic album.
Speaking about the album, Appleton says ‘I wanted to create something that is much more than ‘just an acoustic album’ – Well, you’ve achieved that and then some! Snake Eyes is not just an acoustic album. It is a tour de force of acoustic metal. I, personally can’t wait to see these tracks played live and look forward to Luke Appleton’s next musical venture, be it electric or not!
