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The way I see it, there's two ways to play heavy metal in the year of our Lord, 2014: you either want to go all out on looking like you just came out of '83 and be the coolest band this side of Missouri, or focus on actually sounding like the bands you worship for a change. That's the difference between BLACK MAGIC and, let's say, a group like WHITE WIZZARD. Only one of these bad boys forgot that they're not a retro act and have made a solemn pledge to play heavy metal like "it used to be played". No need for that, heavy metal is timeless.
That's where BLACK MAGIC actually shines through. They play something new to your ears, yet so familiar you don't know what's happening. The vocals, the twin guitars, the pounding bass and drums have all settled inside your head since you first heard "Killers" or "Sad Wings Of Destiny", yet only now do you look at them from the outside, and see the whole ansamble: no bullshit heavy metal. No trends. No mosh. No core. No Bullshit. Straight to the point. You've heard it before, now you hear it again and it's just the greatest thing in the world again and again and again.
The cover art and occult themes just seem to be additions to the gift that keeps on giving that this album is. "Mandatory" listen for fans not of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Oz etc. but of top notch metal, fun, magick and fast, fruitful riffage.
Bands like BLACK MAGIC still bring hope as to where metal stands today.
9/10
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