Stairway: The Other Side Of Midnight | Like Us…Always On The Other Side!!!!
(2006 – Graeme Leslie)
Thank God there are still bands like Stairway that know what Heavy Metal is. One of the few bands that throughout more than 40 years of permanence, with each release keep the fire of Metal alive. Yes, Stairway was formed in their native England back in 1978, and although they always had a hard time releasing albums, in a totally independent and self-managed way they have been releasing one album better than another. In this case, and although this work dates back to 2006, it was never reviewed by us, so we are going to try to describe it in the best possible way.
For those who are not informed, Stairway is dedicated to maintain an essence nailed in the sound of the late 70’s and with each release, they make it clear that their essence is that, and they do not intend to change. For those who like (as we do) that particular era, Stairway’s sound may become pleasing and familiar. Clearly the band has had a hard time releasing albums and it is only since 2000 that they have been releasing more or less regularly, which is a very good thing.
The band consists of Graeme Leslie on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Pete Jennens on guitar, Rob Jennens on bass and keyboards, and Andy Edwards on drums. A classic line-up without too many surprises. Stairway does not stand out for having virtuosic instrumentalists, but rather in forming a solid block, without fissures and without surprises.
In “The Other Side Of Midnight” Stairway keeps the elements that always characterized them, that is to say, their Heavy Metal close to the NWOBHM and Hard Rock of the 70’s without pretending to be modern. As in other works, they go against the grain of what is happening in the world of Metal and its new trends. Their sound is rooted in that glorious era and they manage to capture in 11 songs, an album that will surely not be among the most acclaimed but will surely be loved by all those who appreciate Heavy Metal in its purest essence.
If we have to compare “The Other Side Of Midnight” with other previous Stairway albums, the reality is that the band does not change its ammeter. It remains in its line and insists on giving battle from the fiercest side of the matter. Among the 11 tracks that make up this album, we find pieces like “No Mercy” or “Sea Of Fools”, which maintain the classic sound of the band. Let’s add “Lead Us” and “Soldiers Of Heaven” to the list.
But, there is more, “Burn” sounds gritty, epic and is definitely a high caliber track along with “Pray For The Children”, a semi-dramatic march. What about “Taste The Blood”? Another song with an epic feel without having to resort to flutes, trumpets and so on. Hard and firm, as it should be. The same air is breathed in “She Calls” and in the instrumental “Cantabile”, which shows the band in its best musical state.
To finish we find “Death And Destruction”, with more than interesting riffs, fast and heavy. The album ends with the ballad “My Life Goes On! An elegant way to end this high caliber album.
The album was recorded, mixed and produced by Graeme Leslie and the band itself, managing to keep the same essence as always in their sound, faithful to the seventies sound that the band tries without being tempted by the goodness of modernity. Clearly the idea is that and it is evident that this is where their first success lies. Regarding the artwork, it has clearly improved compared to previous releases, with a matching cover, and in the inner envelope, as always, the album information, lyrics and a single photograph of the band, not much more. The lyrics of the songs, although they go over spiritual themes, have a much more interesting structure than the classic Christian message.
After this release, in all these years, Stairway has continued releasing new albums and singles, so it can be said that the band is not only active but continues to fight, and must be perhaps one of the oldest bands with a Christian message that has never ceased its activity. A detail that many people overlook. For us, Stairway does not go unnoticed and for that reason, we do not want to miss the opportunity not only to review this work but to emphasize once again, the condition of living legend that Stairway possesses, even though not everyone recognizes it.
To get this album, you can go to https://stairwayonline.co.uk
