THE VIEW FROM BELOW

"The View from Below" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US power/progressive metal act Heir Apparent. The album was released through No Remorse Records in October 2018. Heir Apparent formed as far back as 1983 and released their debut album "Graceful Inheritance" in 1986, to a generally positive reception and more than one raving review in the contemporary metal press. It took the band three years to release their sophomore album "One Small Voice (1989)", and unfortunately for the band their window of opportunity had closed, and they disbanded in 1990. They had a short reunitement in 1998, and reunited again in 2000 playing sporadic shows. They recorded a demo in 2003 but other than that and a couple of compilation releases, there has been no new output from Heir Apparent since the release of "One Small Voice (1989)", making "The View from Below" the band´s first studio release in 29 years.

Quite a few things have happened on the metal scene in those years and of course also within the Heir Apparent camp. Naturally and not surprisingly there have been a couple of lineup changes since the release of "One Small Voice (1989)". Lead vocalist Steve Benito has been replaced by Will Shaw and keyboard player Michael Jackson has been replaced by Op Sakiya. The remaining part of the lineup who recorded the predecessor are bassist Derek Peace, guitarist Terry Gorle, and drummer Ray Schwartz (who in the band´s original run went under the name Ray Black).

"Graceful Inheritance (1986)" was a decent quality US power/heavy metal release, while "One Small Voice (1989)" took the band´s music in a slightly more progressive direction. The material on "The View from Below" is a continuation of the US power/progressive metal sound of the predecessor, but it´s generally a far more intense, dark and heavy release than anything the band have released before. Shaw is a more than capable replacement for Benito, and he delivers a strong and passionate vocal performance throughout the album. He is able to hit the high notes, but also capable of singing more raw vocals (not extreme by any means of course).

Keyboards still have an atmosphere enhancing place in the soundscape (sometimes providing the music with an epic feel), but it´s not the type of album where any instrument stand out above the others. All instruments and vocals are well balanced in the mix. It´s a well sounding, professional, and powerful production job, which suits the material perfectly.

The material on the 8 track, 45:05 minutes long album are well written, featuring strong vocal melodies and catchy moments. It´s predominantly slow- to mid-paced music, but "Savior" is a slightly faster-paced track, which fully showcases that Heir Apparent also master that type of musical expression. In their 1980s heyday Heir Apparent were often mentioned along artists like Queensrÿche, Crimson Glory, and Fates Warning, but it´s especially the former mentioned and their mid- to late-1980s output, which is a valid reference. "The View from Below" features some of the same almost futuristic features as Queensrÿche´s 1986 "Rage for Order" album. Upon conclusion it´s a brilliant release on almost all parameters possible. Not genre defining nor pushing the boundaries of US power/progressive metal, but it´s a high quality release deserving a 4 star (80%) rating.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)

No need.

30 years after their sophomore album, Heir Apparent return to discography with three original members and the addition of a talented vocalist in Will Shaw. Shaw had joined the band a few years earlier for live shows and had proven a perfect fit, delivering the demanding vocal lines from the first two albums really well owing partly to his wide range. Despite the promising recipe, The View from Below fails to impress in most parts. It is mostly a heavy atmospheric mid-tempo album with a polished sound and predictable song-writing.

With the exception of Savior, a fast paced tune resembling techniques found in One Small Voice, we are presented with a collection of professionally-assembled songs that don't leave a lasting mark or build a cohesive story. The production is solid with deep bass lines - I would compare the overall sound and taste to Psychotic Waltz's The God- Shaped Void, but with markedly less spark. Indeed, the second highlight of the album, the closing "Insomnia", could well sit in this latter album.

Fans and modern heavy metal fans might find some interest, the rest should check out the band's debut for a truly original sound.