Breezy's Top 15 of 2011! #9

This year seemed to have alot of releases in the traditional vein, so there were lots to pick from.  At #9, from California, White Wizzard - Flying Tigers.


I picked up on these guys a few years back with their High Speed GTO EP.  While not sounding exactly like Priest or Maiden, you can hear their influence. 


Flying Tigers carries on from where the debut and their 2nd album, Over The Top, left off.  However this time around they have sacrificed a bit of the speed and heaviness, and added another layer that really kicks off in the 2nd half of the record. The last 6 tracks are taken more as one larger progressive piece (called Starmans Son) with different tempos and moods.  Not to say it doesn't rock ,because it sure as hell does, but it was something I wasn't expecting from this act.  This is exactly where the charm lies in this recording. Great choruses, traditional riffage and brilliant vocals from Wyatt Anderson.

Tunes like Starchild, Night Stalker, and Night Train To Tokyo carry the NWOBHM flag high, while later tracks like the amazing Demons and Diamonds show a different and more ambitious side of the band.  Another record this year that was a bit of a grower for me, and still love listening to it.  I don't know all the details, but this band has had quite a few member changes (this album was recorded with three members), so I can only hope they get a solid lineup and contnue putting out some top notch metal.  No official vid from the album, but here is the previously mentioned Starchild.  Enjoy!

Please support the bands you like and buy their albums!