Oooh throwback metal from Germany. Heroes, Saints & Fools from Blackslash! I bet when they first started, Google really wanted to offer up “Did you mean Backslash?” Hell, even Youtube did it when I was trying to find the video. Encyclopaedia Metallum also wants to make sure you don’t get them confused with Backlash the heavy/power metal band from Bamberg, Bavaria, or Backslash from Freiburg, which is hard rock. Or also Back Slash which was a heavy rock band in 1991. Also don’t get them confused with Blackstreet, the R&B group known for No Diggity.

The song kicks off with a growly vocal intro, like an orc is trying to send you on the right path, before kicking into some dueling guitarmonies and driving drums. Clemens Haas’s vocals are interesting, not quite what you hear from other throwback bands, like a bit of a growl but not going falsetto or anything. He also kinda looks like Nick Wiger with the same haircut as Boo Boo from Bob’s Burgers. It’s fun to see the guitarist air guitar during the pre-solo breakdown, and then also during the soaring sweeps picky solo. Man that’s a good solo. All in all it’s a rollicking good time of a song.

The video itself is of the “rockin out at night in the forest” variety. That sounds oddly specific, but the woods seem to be a staple of heavy metal videos. I bet it’s because it’s spooky. Seems like there’s a new trend to use filters to give the video an aged look. It’s probably not a new trend, but I’ve noticed it a few times lately and it looks pretty solid. There isn’t a side story, just watching the band shred and have a good time. Hopefully they didn’t encounter the Teutonic-equivalent of the Blair Witch, that’d be a bummer.