Midnight Messiah – Led Into Temptation




“Led Into Temptation” is the sophmore release from British band Midnight Messiah.  Formed by Phil Denton (guitars) and Paul Taylor (vocals) from the ashes of NWOBHM cult favorites Elixir.  Like it's predecessor, “Root of All Evil” - “Led into Temptation” has the sort of NWOBHM vibe but it , in fact the song “The Sinner Must Die” starts off with a moody into very reminiscent of Elixir's “Llagaren” from the “Sovereign Remedy” album.

I can go through every track and say “This sounds like Judas Priest, this sounds like Thin Lizzy...” yes Midnight Messiah wear their influences proudly. Just a sample lyric from “Hellbound” -”They Tell me Hell Ain't a bad place to be” - any band that cites Bon Scott era AC/DC has a special place in my heart.  “Second Coming” has a dual guitar solo very similar to Judas Priest's “Freewheel Burning”.  “Go to the Light” has an anthemic chorus like all the 80's Scorpions songs....see? “While Heaven Bleeds” is Dio-era Sabbath.   There's nothing wrong with paying tribute to the bands that helped shape ones musical direction.  There's cowbell on the intro to the otherwise very heavy “Merry Widow” - how cool is that?? HEAVY METAL COWBELL!!!

To be honest, it's going to be hard to write a non biased review of this CD.  I've loved everything I've heard from the Elixir family from the second they took the stage in NJ 11 years ago and my jaw fell on the floor when I heard the opening notes of “Star of Beshaan”.

The biggest compliment I can give is if I ever get good enough and form my own band they won't sound very much different than Midnight Messiah.  This is recommended for fans of the classics – but again with a modern twist and modern production. 

-Rys

Midnight Mesiah are:
Paul Taylor – vocals
Phil Denton – guitars, bass, keyboards
Darren Lee – Drums
Dave Strange – Lead Guitar on tracks 3, 4, 5, 10 & 11

Track Listing:
Second Coming
Led into Temptation
Hellbound
The Merry Widow
Go to the Light
Return of the King
The Darklands
While Heaven Bleeds

Bonus Tracks:
Right Place, Wrong Time
King of the Night (2017 remix)

Find Midnight Messiah online:


Photos by Electric Eye Photography.



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