Lechery – Violator

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Metal Heaven
Produced by Rockard Bengtsson

Lechery formed in 2004 when Martin Bengtsson left both Arch Enemy and Armageddon, securing a contract with Metal Heaven with their second demo tape, and now releasing their debut album.

In a departure from Bengtsson’s work with his previous band, Violator is a pure, traditional heavy metal record in the style of bands like Helloween, but heavier. This does of course mean the lyrical content is not exactly the more cliche-free stuff. Titles like Rise With Me, Here of The Night and Slave Under Passion probably tell you all you need to know on that score.

Less obvious titles like Your Fate and Come Alive don’t fare much better on the lyrical front, but musically the band cannot be faulted. Bengtsson has an Andy Franck quality to his voice, while the guitars lean more towards Hammerfall‘s sound, but with less artificial polish. The band have done well to produce a modern metal album that retains the rawness long-term metal fans are still looking for, and in fact was one of the defining characteristics of heavy metal until people like Def Leppard came along. Fist-pumping tracks like Why and I Am The One are guaranteed to make them live favourites at traditional metal events or supporting slots for classic bands.

The main thing Lechery have going for them, besides their excellent musical abilities, is that this kind of metal never loses its fanbase. This is metal that is so pure it will always have its following and was never a ‘fad’. Violator is a strong an example of this style as you will find in 2008, and if that’s what you’re after, look no further. It doesn’t break any musical boundaries however, so if that’s what you want then this isn’t for you. But pure heavy metal is what Lechery were aiming for, and they have more than succeeded.

“ pure, traditional heavy metal ”

Tracklist: Rise With Me / Come Alive / I Am The One / Hero of The Night / Your Fate / What Burns In Their Eyes / Slave Under Passion / Why / Cynical / Attraction / Open Your Eyes

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Heavy Metal, Lechery