By Jim Rowland
Four years ago, Canadian hard rockers Freeways released their debut album ‘True Bearings’, a hugely impressive debut that fused the sound of classic hard rock from the second half of the ’70s with the verve of early NWoBHM with real authenticity. Four years later, following the sad demise of their previous record company, Freeways have now linked up with Dying Victims Productions for that long overdue follow up album ‘Dark Sky Sanctuary’.
‘Dark Sky Sanctuary’ manages to keep many of the qualities that made that debut album so strong, whilst clearly displaying the natural progression you would expect to develop over the four year period between albums. ‘Forever Protected’ and ‘Fortune’s Favourite’ are both irresistible, pacey slices of melodic metal very much in the vein of classic Praying Mantis, with the excellent ‘Give Em The Gears’ keeping the up tempo NWOBHM influence alive with a belter that bears more than a passing resemblance to early Diamond Head.
Another classic band whose influence looms large here is Blue Öyster Cult, with ‘Can’t Deny Destiny’, ‘Dark Sky Sanctuary’ and ‘Travelling Heart’ all bearing the classic BÖC hallmarks of strong melody, subtle darkness and clever twists. The epic-sounding ‘Private Myth’ provides another slice of quality early 80’s-inspired melodic metal, and as with the first album, the twin-guitar style of Thin Lizzy/Wishbone Ash is evident on the clever and progressive album closer ‘Cracked Shadow’, which even allows a hint of earlier Rush to creep in.
Freeways are clearly dedicated disciples of the type of melodic but punchy hard rock from the 70s and early 80s that these days now gets called ‘classic rock’, and their brand of it is performed with passionate authenticity that clearly comes from the heart. It’s a timeless style of rock, and we still need bands like Freeways to keep it alive and kicking. I loved the first album, and I love this one too, so hopefully they get the wider recognition they fully deserve with this album.
- ‘Dark Sky Sanctuary‘ is released on Friday (26 April).
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