Look deep into this MIRROR and you’ll see the spirit of true heavy metal staring back at you. I thought the debut from this Greek band was fantastic and The Day Bastard Leaders Die is a more than worthy follow-up. The creation of SATAN’S WRATH bassist Taz, this band is 100% dedicated to the sounds of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal and the darkest ’70s hard rock.
MIRROR play a rather elegant, almost baroque style of true metal that has a strong flavor of ANGELWITCH, CANDLEMASS and MERCYFUL FATE. Singer Jimmy Mavrommatis has a great clear voice that’s perfect for this kind of music while guitarists Sprits and Dino engage in some great axe duels and melodic runs. There really isn’t a bad song on the whole record, but the outstanding tracks are the hugely anthemic ‘Stand, Fight, Victory’ with its great mid-paced stomp that practically forces you to bang your head, and the fast yet gothic ‘Sleepy Eyes Of Death’. The epic prog power metal of the title track features a great piano and synth opening right out of WISHBONE ASH. Another band MIRROR reminds me of at times is MANILLA ROAD.
The class oozes from every groove of this platter. Along with MAULE’s self-titled debut, this is some of the best NWOBHM-influenced metal you could possibly hear in 2022. Pick it up!
Review By: Dr. Abner Mality
MIRROR
The Day Bastard Leaders Die
Cruz Del Sur Music
4.5 / 6