By: Jesse Striewski

It’s happening less and less frequently these days, but every so often I’ll have an “A-ha!” moment when coming across new music. Tampa, FL’s Midnight Vice manage to have that effect, much as many of the bands who came before them that so obviously influenced them (namely Enforcer).

They waste no time here on their debut effort, instantly starting things off with the adrenaline-fueled “Strike in the Night.” “Baptized by Fire” is another strong number, but the real highlights are the slightly cryptic “Mysteria,” and the epic “Spellcaster” (it’s bridge and eventual breakdown midway is truly something to behold).

I might be “getting up there” as they say age-wise. But this is the type of music that makes one still feel alive and (almost) ready to roam just about any dark alley late at night, or take on an army completely solo (take your pick). Either way, this is what heavy metal is, was, and always will be about in my book.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars