Wilde Starr – Arrival (2009)

Wilde Starr hails from Alameda, California, and the band’s name is taken from the two members last names: London Wilde (vocals and keyboards) and Dave Starr (Guitars and Bass). The band’s sound can easily be compared to Doro with some hints of After Forever.

Featuring over 55 minutes of music “Arrival” is one of the most effective releases I’ve heard this year, and I mean effective in a sense that no minute is wasted in establishing the band into one of the best of the genre. All songs are very well written and are diverse enough to not get bored, but feature elements in common giving the band their signature sound.

London Wilde’s vocals are pretty solid and can easily be compared to any other female vocalist singing in the Power/Hevy metal genres, sometimes she can even be compared to Doro. Her keyboard arrangements are top notch and never get overwhelming or over done, having this perfect balance, helps the overall Power Metal feel without getting into the Gothic Metal realm.

The guitars are probably my favorite thing of this album since they are very well written and they never go into ‘super virtuoso mode’, something that ruins many Power Metal releases for me. The solos are very well arranged and long enough to be enjoyable, but not get in the way of enjoying the rest of the music. Dave Starr has experience playing bass guitar for Vicious Rumors, Lääz Rockit and Chastain, and you can clearly see this experience transferred into the music.

Drums in this album are provided by Jim Hawthorne, and even though he is not an official band member, he fits perfectly to the band’s sound, keeping everything together with a tight drum track.

Overal “Arrival” is a very solid first full length and given the quality of these musicians I can only expect future albums to get better, so go ahead and order this album from the band’s website, you will not be disappointed. This album is a must for all Melodic / Symphonic Power Metal fan.

Release: August 1, 2009

Country: USA