ATKINS/MAY PROJECT – Valley Of Shadows
(Gonzo Multimedia)
Al Atkins is a founder member of Judas Priest – writing ‘Victim Of Changes’ – although he left the band to make way for Rob Halford in 1973 . He has also written a very informative autobiography of his early musical life in the Midlands. In 2011 he teamed up with guitarist Paul May for the album ‘Serpent’s Kiss’.
Sadly, this latest offering shows that the passage of time (even the year since that last album) hasn’t been particularly kind to Atkins’ vocal chords as he pretty much strains throughout. Graft that on to a decidedly empty production and this really is quite ordinary.
It’s not clear from the credits if anyone plays on the album other than May and I assume from the programmed rhythm he also handled drums and bass (what we can hear of it). There’s nothing wrong with May’s guitar playing (he is showcased on the instrumental ‘Messiah’) but the knob twiddling (by May!) hasn’t done him – or Atkins - any favours.
The production job sounds very much homespun and because of the lack of power in Atkins voice it needs the compensation of a really powerful metal sound to compensate. I guarantee you’ll be thinking your bass bins are shot after playing this because you won’t actually hear any bass.
Only the title track is worth keeping, a slow bluesy burner which suits Atkins lack of vocal range and allows May free rein.
I can’t see this album appealing to anyone other than those with an affection for Atkins and British Metal in general and maybe are a little more forgiving as a result.
**1/2
Review by David Randall
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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