Label: High Roller Records | Release date: 28.03.2025
With the magnificent voice of Alexx Panza, known for his work with Hitten, Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, and Cobra Spell in their first steps, Vigilhunter’s debut full-length is an ode to the old US heavy / power metal and classic bands such as Queensrÿche, Crimson Glory, Lethal, Leatherwolf and Vicious Rumors in their prime. Alexx Panza also handles rhythm and lead guitars, while the line-up is completed by Mattia Itala (rhythm and lead guitars), Mirko Negrino (bass) and Marcello “Cell” Leocani (drums). This project has been in the works for a few years, and it is built around a pure love for heavy metal music. It is amazing how even a song with the title “Titan Glory” can bring to mind elements from Titan Force and Crimson Glory, while the opening riff of “Outburst of Rage” brings to mind the supreme riffage style of Criss Oliva (Savatage), adding a pure fanboism layer in this album. While the influences might be clear, in the end, this album has a voice on its own and what might have started as a spark for a riff, a vocal melody, or a hook, ended in something completely new, filtered by Vigilhunter, bringing back the art of compelling and effective songwriting, something that we often miss in recent years when we’re stormed with countless new releases. Still, be sure that a few of the bands that influenced Vigilhunter, would offer earth and water to write and record songs such as “Disconnected”, “Titan Glory”, “Shadow Rider (Vigilante)” and “The Downfall”. This is not an album just for the sake of releasing “something”, there is pure labor of love here, a debut release we will keep visiting and a band we’re looking forward to seeing on stage.
