Just because I live in a small country doesn't mean I know everything that's going on in the scene. So, needless to say, I was a bit surprised when I received a CD in the post from a Copenhagen band called Black Succubi. A bit of research on the web informed me that the band has existed since 2005 and was started by among others the drummer Jens Berglid from the Danish hardrock band Fate. Berglid is long since gone from the ranks of the Black Succubi, but the rest of the band has continued, and now this, their second full-length is on the streets.
And I'm fairly impressed! 'Eye of the Beholder' is a collection of great, melodic tunes with powerful riffs. The style is somewhere between heavy metal, power metal and thrash, and it's all nicely wrought. The penchant for catchy tunes is so definitely there; the title track, Dream Little Dreamer and Sin Of Man are true ear worms and stays in your head for hours.
Singer Jan Lundstrøm isn't a Geoff Tate, but he does a good job of delivering the songs with conviction, and the addition of a female vocal on Time For Goodbyes (plus backing on Sin of Man and Eye of the Beholder II is a good move.
Worth a listen if you're feeling bored during the Christmas holidays!
