Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Frank, Herman
Label: Metal Heaven
Release: 2009
Running time: 46:09
Rating: 3.5/5
Herman Frank – former Accept guitarist, co-founder of bands like Victory and Moon Doc’, and producer of records for the likes of Saxon, Rose Tattoo, Molly Hatchet and Messiah’s Kiss – has finally found the will and the time to prove himself with a solo studio effort too.
For the studio crew, he rounded up some interesting helpers. There’s drummer Stefan Schwarzmann, who has played in U.D.O., Running Wild, Helloween and Krokus; the seasoned bassist Peter Pichl (ex-Running Wild), who currently plays with English rock legends Nectar; and on vocals, Victory and Human Fortress singer Jiotis Parachidis stepped in. And believe me, the old fox handed out the roles to experienced, proven names who fully understand the principle of rattling old-school German steel. This is steel of the kind that brings a tried-and-true winning formula at every single moment. Not so much in the creative sense anymore, but all the more in the sheer conviction of that perfect pulsing of a primal, evergreen heavy metal riff.
“Loyal To None” is the real embodiment of the standards of German old-school heavy metal. It’s an uncompromising charge straight through thick and thin, with no ballads full of sighing self-pity. A pure, direct attack with a raw, live production of vomiting guitars and the riffs in the songs pushed as far forward as they’ll go. The double bass drum pedal forms the backbone on which the crushing riffs rest, and it’s all topped off by the melodic, powerful, upfront vocals of Jiotis Parachidis, whose slightly throaty edge can recall Mike Tirelli of Messiah’s Kiss. The style of the song arrangements, and the sound production in general, should win over fans of that band, too, and overall an album like “Loyal To None” should please all lovers of the old German school, from Accept to Sinner and U.D.O.
Herman Frank of course masterfully seasons all the mid-song instrumental sections with witty solo flourishes, and with similarly ornamental engraving he shamelessly touches many of the intros, outros and transitions too, lifting the dynamics of the songs. The power and prominence of the crushing riff stands out especially in the mid-tempo tracks like the dramatic Heal Me or Kill The King.
In terms of musical exploration or creativity, “Loyal To None” brings nothing new or special. Its arrival will delight above all fans of Teutonic metal, who, in the primal magic of heavy metal from the purebred German school, won’t squat for even a moment of their running time.
Lineup
Jiotis Parachidis – vocals
Herman Frank – guitar
Peter Pichl – bass
Stefan Schwarzmann – drums
Production
Herman Frank
Tracklist
1. Moon II
2. 7 Stars
3. Father Buries Son
4. Heal Me
5. Hero
6. Kill The King
7. Down To The Valley
8. Lord Tonight
9. Bastard Legions
10. Welcome To Hell
