Review SANHEDRIN “Heat Lightning”

Sanhedrin hail from Brooklyn, NYC and formed in 2015. So, the band is celebrating their tenth anniversary this year and they are doing it by releasing a new album. The guys launched their debut album in 2017, which brought them to the attention of Cruz Del Sur. The collaboration with the label, known for a quality portfolio of young bands, helped Sanhedrin expand their fan base and led to a deal with Metal Blade Records.

“Heat Lightning” is the second album to come through the legendary label and the band continues its exciting adventure in the field of heavy metal. Sanhedrin don’t waste any time and kick off the new effort with the blistering “Blind Wolf”. The rock and metal hybrid is a powerful track that clearly indicates the direction this album will take. Rooted in traditional heavy metal, the New York trio presents songs that inhale the spirit of 70’s and 80’s metal without sounding old-fashioned. The opener is a clear indication of this fact. Then comes the title track, which shows that Sanhedrin are also lyrically in the here and now. They don’t sing about knights and dragons. Instead, the song “Heat Lightning” uses lightning as a metaphor. The song is about how mankind is getting further and further away from nature. We even think that we can control nature. Musically, the song is a mid-tempo metal track with nicely crafted melody lines. It doesn’t take long to appreciate this song with its blistering solo part.

To complete the musical framework of “Heat Lightning”, the band placed a song called “Above the Law” on the third position. It is a raging metal song with a chorus that is made for live shows as fans can easily shout “Above the Law” along. And speaking of faster songs, “Franklin Country Line” is no different. This up-tempo blast is pure denim & leather metal that will make any metal heart beat stronger and faster.

It’s the mix of songs that makes the flow of “Heat Lightning” so exciting. Fast-paced metal tracks with a lot of power are in balance with epic pieces like the majestic “Kings of Tides”. The latter begins slowly and acoustically. The song is also a great moment for singer Erica Stoltz to show her full vocal skills. Combined with a slower doom riff, the song is an exciting highlight of the album.

The closer “When the Will Becomes the Chain” takes a similar approach. Although it is a song, it has a narrative feel that resonates with the song. From the first time you hear it, you want to follow the lyrics and the story. The song is very basic and yet has enough exciting elements to keep you hooked. Musically I had to think of Dio while listening to “When the Will Becomes the Chain”.

The song that leads you to the closer is called “High Threshold for Pain”. The galloping metal piece spreads a dark vibe. It’s a pleasant feeling of restlessness that the song creates. The track stares at you with an evil grin and still has a hypnotizing effect on the listener.

Sanhedrin’s fourth effort is a great heavy metal album. Raw power, edges and emotional impact, this is what “Heat Lightning” represents. Two thumbs up for the most captivating album so far from this New York metal force.