After three absolute bangers in the hard rock / trad-metal field (you want some elitism? Any diehard MANILLA ROAD fan will give the most panda-painted supporter of [Insert Black Metal Band Name Here] a run for their money when it comes to what is or is not Metal, SANHEDRIN returns with Heat Lightning.

Salivating with anticipation, ‘Blind Wolf’ begins, soon thrusting into a choppy, syncopated machine, Erica’s [Stoltz, vocals/bass] as clear yet fierce as ever. Her tone may not be as road-raggedly “queen of the mountaintop” as Doro Pesch, nor as operatically weak-livered as the corseted “symphonic” dame of the day, but what it is is classic, clear and pristine (think HEART, but with a JOAN JETT snarl), and is a treasure in this alone. The title track is a mid-paced rocker that is – as is the lion’s share of SANHEDRIN’s material – instantly memorable without being throwaway or remedial.

Gone are thoughts of anything laid back when ‘Above The Law’ races in, blindsiding us with an OTT speedster, gang vocals, [Jeremy] Sosville’s guitar blade unsheathed, katana-sharp, and ready to slice trees in half with a single riffstroke. ‘The Fight Of Your Life’ swaggers ‘n’ struts, ‘80s Sunset Strip sweat, glitter and grease recalling at once the film Crossroads and BAD COMPANY’s ‘Shooting Star’, somehow managing to rhyme “…fight of your life” and “butterknife” and not sound hokey.

The art of the power ballad is not one easily mastered, yet ‘King Of Tides’ flourishes, Rage For Order QUEENSRYCHE blending with SANHEDRIN’s impeccable gift for melodicism, the drums of Nathan Honor a true bedrock for the band on which to build its house. ‘Franklin County Line’ hotfoots it forward once more, Honor’s rhythm taking the lead in this tale with a twist. Drawing to a close with ‘When The Will Becomes A Chain’, poignant a lyric never more relevant than in 2025, “Pride is a whore when the will becomes the chain” taking all those who hold to power by stirring up strife in “commoners” such as we to task. Anthemic and, yes, stirring.

And that’s how SANHEDRIN manages to be thought provoking on one hand, and a damn fine band for cranking up at a party on the other. We need more records like this, but ya know what? We should be damned thankful for the ones we do have. Heat Lightning is one.
Review By: Lord Randall

SANHEDRIN
Heat Lightning
Metal Blade