Metal in the ’80s was a unique thing. There was not as much distinction between certain genres or nearly as many labels as they have today. Having grown up in the LA scene for most of my life, it was commonplace to have heavier bands like STEELER, ARMORED SAINT and say even early METALLICA, play alongside groups like DOKKEN, ROUGH CUTT and WASP because they all sort of straddled that line of classic AOR Rock but also with hints of the heavier spectrum, which we all know started to grow and evolve around this time. So while listening to the latest from POWER SURGE, I get so much of that sound and feeling from those early days. If you take early DOKKEN and ARMORED SAINT, you have a prime example of what you will hear with this release. There are touches of QUEENSRYCHE and MALICE as well. I could go on and on about who you may hear bits and pieces of. I guess what I’m saying is that POWER SURGE do a damn good job of straddling the line between genres and not disappoint many on all sides of the spectrum. The production is excellent and the drummer plays his heart out, and his sound is amazing. The guitars are a bit Power Metal, a bit of the flash of George Lynch / Warren DeMartini, but also catchy and not too heavy for the radio, should need be. The same can be said for the vocalist who can take you from radio happy AOR vocals, but then he can offer a bit of grit and mood to accentuate the songs themselves. I was definitely pleased with the output from these guys, and for them to offer something other than the constant blast and pummeling. A palette cleanser indeed. www.facebook.com/powersurgeheavymetal, www.facebook.com/fhmetal