Challenger
Force Of Nature
Now, at long last, that debut album is here: Force of Nature. Aptly titled, CHALLENGERs first full-length draws from a deep well of heavy metal wisdom, and does so with gusto. Their stated influences include Saxon, Iron Maiden, Tank, Rainbow, Judas Priest, Venom, Mercyful Fate, Running Wild, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and the UKs Satan, and verily do CHALLENGER siphon off both the best and most idiosyncratic strains of those legends DNA and reconfigure them into a travelogue of pathos and bravado. The songwriting across Force of Nature suitably gallops with energy, but the band patiently allow each construct to unfold, retaining a sense of austere grace in the process.