Blitzkrieg - Blitzkrieg

Angry Metal Guy 70

In the pantheon of influential NWoBHM acts, Blitzkrieg often get overlooked. Though present at the beginning along with Iron Maiden, Diamond Head, and Saxon, Blitzkrieg suffered lineup issues and broke up before releasing their debut album. Frontman Brian Ross went on to join Satan and Blitzkrieg didn’t get a full-length out until 1985, by which time the NWoBHM had crested and metal had moved on to thrashing and bashing. Their much-delayed debut, A Time of Changes is a classic (featuring their legendary calling card track which Metallica famously covered)¹ and stands as a shining moment in NWoBHM history. The band’s had an uneven history ever since, falling victim to revolving lineups with Ross as the sole constant. As an unexpected bounty for NWoBHM aficionados, 2024 sees both Blitzkrieg and Satan releasing albums a week apart, both helmed by Brian Ross. Blitzkrieg opted to go with an eponymous title for their 10th album, suggesting the band feels this represents what they’re all about after 45 long years of existence. So what can you expect on Blitzkrieg? The classic sounds of the musical movement that birthed them with a few surprises included.

This is 100% early 80s music, with sharp riffs driving anthemic rock-based songcraft designed to snag the ear. Opener “You Won’t Take Me Alive” is a straight-up rocker with burly leads and Ross’ vintage vocals crafting an ode to living on the edge. It’s instantly likable and could have appeared on the debut (or any Saxon album). Better still is “The Spider” with its slick, pulsing riffage and the extra oomph Ross puts in his vocals. I’ve had this one on steady replay for a week and I don’t get tired of it. Ross and crew prove to be seasoned songwriters and cut after cut offer moments that stick to the roof of your brain. “Dragon’s Eye” is everything you could want from a classic metal song with tasty riffs and a huge, heroic chorus overflowing with glory. “If I Told You” is an anthem for conspiracy theorists with clever lyrics covering history’s mysteries, and “Vertigo” is a riff-first beast with clever and unusual vocal tricks from Ross.

Even the epic 8-plus minute closer “On Olympus High – Aphrodite’s Kiss” maintains that hooks-first hard rock writing even as it goes for grand storytelling of lost love and grief. The guitar work is beautiful and you don’t notice the protracted runtime much. “Above the Law” is another winner, with an extra dark vibe and tales of brutal vigilantism. The only cut that feels underwhelming is “The Night He Came Home,” which goes for an eerie, macabre vibe but falls a bit flat. At a concise 48 minutes, Blitzkrieg is the classic NWoBHM opus that goes for the throat and leaves before getting tiresome. Most songs sit in the 4-5 minute window and fly by, and the longer ones manage enough magic to keep you locked in. The production sounds like it came from the early 80s, with a warm, guitar-forward mix that leaves ample room for everyone else to shine.

As the only member left from the band’s early days, Brian Ross is the caretaker of the Blitzkrieg legacy. He obviously loves the band and he’s labored to keep it going for decades. It’s also clear he’s taken pains to make Blitzkrieg a love letter to the band’s history and sound. You get a nice sampling of their various periods, with tight, hard-rocking cuts and a few longer more epical pieces that remind of their The Mists of Avalon era. Ross does a fine job vocally, offering a more versatile, emotional performance than we hear from him on the Satan albums. His singing on “On Olympus High – Aphrodite’s Kiss” is touching and emotive and honestly, it surprised me with its depth. Along with Bruce Dickinson and Biff Byford, Ross is the voice of the NWoBHM and it’s amazing how good he still sounds. Brian’s son Alan Ross acquits himself very well too, delivering rousing riffs to punch the songs into your head while showcasing truly exceptional ability on the slower, softer moments. Metal is in this family’s DNA for sure.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Blitzkrieg and had concerns it would be seriously overshadowed by the new Satan album dropping next Friday. I’m happy to report that this is one of the better releases in the Blitzkrieg discography and a fine addition to the band’s legacy. If you never bothered with Blitzkrieg before, this is a good place to start indeed. TLDR: Brian Ross is the fookin’ boss.



Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Mighty Music
Websites: facebook.com/blitzkrieguk | instagram.com/blitzkriegnwobhm
Releases Worldwide: September 6th, 2024

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