“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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