Metal Bulletin Zine: Sarasin

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Sarasin

label: Pure Steel Records

release: February 26th, 2015

genre: traditional heavy rock and heavy metal

instrumentation: guitar/riff-driven and big pounding drumming

vocals: traditional singing

production: clear, big rocking sound

songwriting: the guitars provide the power, the drums the heart, and the vocals seek to make people sing along

general assessment: The band sticks to the idea that they should not show all the cards on the first song. The first song is “The Hammer,” a midtempo/uptempo song of big/heavy/classic/metal rock, all rolled into one. In this song, the band shows their wares, but they don’t give away all their secrets yet. Instead, they show that they are all about rocking, and that’s the main thing. If the listener wants to hear whether the band has faster, slower, heavier, more melodic or crazier songs, then it’s necessary to listen to the whole album. They do the whole range of melodic songs to uptempo headbanging songs, but the band’s fundamental sound is big rock. They want to sound like a real band, playing real instruments and they succeed in that, for sure. At times, the sound might veer more towards classic heavy rock and its melodies, at other times the classic heavy metal might come out at bit more. Either way, it amounts to about the same thing with this band: fist-raising rocking sounds to which their audience can sing along. Overall, keeping in mind the objectives of the band, the album is a success for them. They sound real; they have the songs; and the album sound quality is solid.

caveat: As with any song-centered traditional band, the listener will have to hear the singing and see if the vocals are appealing. In this case, the vocals are more along the lines of “street rock” than “metal siren” singing. It is possible that the listener might detect a bit of a 90s rock edge in the vocals. In addition, listeners who are strict in their definition of metal should listen to decide if there is too much traditional rock in the sound of the band.

band information: “The Canadian band SARASIN was originally formed in the 80's when their first EP "Lay down your guns" was released. Only guitarist Greg Boileau remains from the bands original line-up.

Long time bass player and other founding member Rob Grant died after a battle with cancer in 2012, the new SARASIN album is dedicated to him. The band convinces with heavy riffs and deep feelings. Please check out the songs "The Hammer" and "Soul in Vain" to get an impression. Vocalist Michael Wilson is sometimes reminiscent to OZZY OSBOURNE which is to the bands advantage. Fine melodic songs with great choruses will convince old and new fans of classic Heavy Metal! Welcome back, SARASIN!”

“Forged in the steel mills of gritty Hamilton Ontario, Sarasin has been satisfying the palette of “The Hammer's” Metalheads for 30+ years. As visionaries, they recorded their 1st indie EP in the 1980's long before other bands realized it was possible. However unlike the fame seeking “poser” bands of that era they did it quite simply for their fans. Fans who are loyal to this day and could care less about viral videos and “likes”.

Whether playing a dingy local bar or on the stage of a concert hall, the throttle is always fully open. Unpretentious persistence has kept this band driving forward with their heads down simply doing what they love, smashing their fans in the face with hard hitting, pulse driving Metal.

This most recent album was concieved when founding bass player Rob Grant fell ill and cofounding guitarist Greg Boileau wanted one last recording with him. Sadly Rob never got to play on it and lost his battle in 2012. It took some time but Greg along with longtime members drummer Roger Banks and vocalist Mike Wilson, pushed ahead to finish the CD and have dedicated it to their brother Rob.

In May 2015 the band signed a record deal with Pure Steel Records based out of Germany the band’s goal is to promote the CD and resume playing shows in Canadian cities, they will also be embarking on a Europian tour (where metal is still flourishing) for the summer of 2016.”

SARASIN "The Hammer" - official video (PURE STEEL RECORDS)