Walking in the Shadows Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper 2016 Dissonance Productions Grim Reaper are a Heavy Metal band that first came on the scene with the NWOBHM movement in the early 1980’s with Steve Grimmett and Nick Bowcott’s distinctive vocals and guitar sound. Grim Reaper gathered serious airplay with their debut album and title track, See You in Hell, released in 1983 but unfortunately, disbanded 5 years later. Steve Grimmett reformed Grim Reaper in 2006 minus Bowcott under the moniker Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper releasing the live EP, Alive and Kicking in 2011. Under their new name, Walking in the Shadows is technically the debut album and obviously features the vocals of Grimmett with Ian Nash on the guitars who previously worked in Grimmett’s solo band. The rhythm section features Martin Trail on bass and one time Blitzkrieg drummer, Paul White. The first noticeable difference between Grimmett of the present and of the past is that Grimmett’s voice has aged gracefully, yes his may have lost its high wail that was present on their early albums, but Grimmett’s voice is now worn in with experience and although weaker than it once was, it is now arguably better than before. Walking in the Shadows has been produced by Grimmett and Nash who have done a much better job than some of the more seasoned producers that have worked on bigger records this year. Walking in the Shadows sounds fresh, harking back to the original Grim Reaper roots, whilst breathing life into a band whose final few chapters were marred with legal disputes. The drone of a bomber signals the opening track, Wings of Angels and blasts forward in a barrel roll of classic Heavy Metal that is not only catchy, but full of hooks and it will not take long for you to begin humming along with its huge 80’s chorus that would have easily fit alongside their MTV repertoire. However, the new material from Grim Reaper can draw parallels with the latest releases of Saxon with both bands having a similar style, Grimmett having a voice that is sparser and less powerful than Biff Byford. Walking in the Shadows is not a nostalgia trip, in fact, Walking in the Shadows is almost a million miles away from the Grim Reaper of the past. Grimmett and co. let the music talk for them with their huge choruses that are infectious and extremely catchy, building up from something as simple as chugging before the songs explode. The best thing about Walking in the Shadows is that it is difficult to pinpoint one song for this, the entire is album is a fantastic piece of craftsmanship from the title track, through Reach Out, From Hell, Call Me in the Morning, Come Hell or High Water and the cheesy Thunder and Rock Will Never Die. But when this album is on, you don’t care about the cheese factor, because Walking in the Shadows is just thoroughly enjoyable. Walking in the Shadows is possibly one of the best albums that has been released this year. Not only is Walking in the Shadows a shock, it is just fun to listen to and it is great to Steve Grimmett back in the back saddle of the Heavy Metal steed. If you love Heavy Metal with catchy choruses, NWOBHM and even if you’ve never heard Grim Reaper and are a fan of Saxon, Judas Priest and other bands of that style, go out and buy Walking in the Shadows, you will not be disappointed. 9/10 Adam Walking in the Shadows (Grimmett/Nash)
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