Returning after their well-received album Goin’ Under from 2013, the Swedish heavy metal band Black Trip are back. I have to say, it is difficult these days to find bands that play to an older, more classic sound, but Black Trip’s sophomore album Shadowline came right along to freshen things up. With influences such as Iron Maiden, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, and the Scorpions, Black Trip play homage to a classic feel, but have crafted their own unique sound in the process.

The heavy metal rock quickly pounces from the very beginnings of the first track, Die With Me. A classic sound with catchy grooves and an even catchier chorus, it’s hard not to feel happiness just wash over as each second passes. Continuing on with Danger, the guitars are melodic this time, keeping things upbeat and interesting throughout its heavy jaunt. The main title track Shadowline jumps to a softer tone, with clean guitars to open, but disbands the soft attitude and goes straight back to the hard rocking.

The classic sound these guys create is one that is easy to sit back and to enjoy more than just once. One of my favorite tracks, Over the Worldly Walls, shows that when it comes to guitar-work, Black Trip can really wail, providing a great classic tone. Subvisual Sleep, lays on harder guitar licks, crunching along to a kind of dark AC/DC touch. But where the musicianship really shined on this album came towards the end with The Storm. The instruments and vocals simply clash to a blissful, classic nature. The guitars really meld together within this track, providing a wonderful harmonizing solo that is hard to forget.

When it comes to heavy metal for this year, only one other band besides Black Trip was able to flex their metal guns well which was Visigoth. However, Shadowline’s classic tone and catchy rocking grooves has the ability to latch onto many metalheads who have that old-school sound boiling within them.