Band: Katana
Album title: Heads Will Roll
Label: ListenAble Records
Distributor: Suburban - Bertus
Release date: 01 April 2011
Release: CD

Sweden once again sends forth another metal band. Although the Gothenburg scene is mostly known for its melodic death metal bands like ”In Flames” or “At The Gates”, but this time it surprises everyone with this new traditional heavy metal band. Not only in their genre do they surprise people, the band is called “Katana” after a Japanese sword + their artwork finds its roots in Japan as they have a samurai on the front of their album.
This is the bands first album and like I said, they bring traditional Heavy metal that has been highly influenced by German, but also British bands like Accept or Iron Maiden just to name a few. So you can say this is a lighter version of those big bands, but once again the “original” thing about this band can once again be found in its Japanese roots that runs through every aspect of the band and record. They even have songs called “Asia in sight” and “Heart of Tokyo”.
Apart from their obvious love for the land of the rising sun, these Swedish metalheads actually do a pretty good job at what they do. Old school metal that everyone will enjoy, but this will be the most fun for the somewhat older people amongst us. Catchy songs, great sound and vocals that actually don’t sound irritating make up for one pretty good debut album.

76/100

Jeroen.