Review by JD on February 1, 2011.

Sometimes, I think that old fashioned Hard Rock/Metal has all but vanished from the scene due to metal going to varying levels of extremes. Bands like Skid Row, Jackal and others like that have disappeared and left a deep and seemingly bottomless pit of fun. Lordi and Gwar are ones that keep some of the fun in metal but we need a band that brings that fun back for all attitude again. Enter Blue Felix...a band that tributes the old Hard Rock and Metal while bringing other styles in to make the music feel fresh.

This band is a strange sort of collection of influences, that puts it all together for a sound that is close to original as anyone can be. You have Hard Rock influence of Skid Row mixied with Disturbed powerful grooves add in stuff like a shit load of 80's metal (Overkill, early Anthrax, ect) and some Danzig, Priestess and even hints of straight forward Punk and Skate as well. You get an album of eclectic metal at its finest. They are sort of like a metallic David Bowie in the artistry and collection of different styles - and that is a complement.

The very hard to ignore sing along songs like the infectious and funny 'Dirtnap' go so well along side the face melting rough riffing like the song 'Uncle Scam'. Power, passion and pure fun go hand in hand to beat you close to senseless and then continues until you are pushed into submission. They are a new breed of grinding old fashion metal... sort of Skid Row for the new millennium.

This is a raucous, over-the-top fun loving slab of indispensable metal and it is an refreshing slab as well. They ignite the fact that metal still needs to have the fun side of things as well as the serious shit. Blue Felix is a band all of that brings that out once again while still managing to rock as hard as anyone can. This is exactly the fuel that metal is still suppose to be based on.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by Adam M on January 31, 2023.

This album offers an unusual similarity to older Tribulation but it is more traditional in flavor and doesn't completely carry on the melodic death metal traits of said band. Instead, we have a mixed affair that goes over different styles and manages to maintain the right amount of catchiness to draw the listener in. There is a melodic flair to the songs, although it isn't as much of a death metal one but it has the right ingredients for a fun and moving listen.

The drumming is pounding, quite aggressive and leads the rhythm section nicely. The singing is intense and ferocious making it emotionally gripping and with the guitars that are hugely melodic and manage not to loom over the rest of the instruments Valletta present itself as a very cohesive group of musicians. The one unfortunate thing about this one is the fact that nothing really stands out particularly from the whole. We're left with strong musical performances that could have been pushed further and album that could have been a bit more exciting.

Now there isn’t really any huge downside to it and the flaws I'm pointing out are probably just my opinion but I do hope that in the future they'll continue to explore adding more nuances to the mix. There are also similarities to Arch Enemy that are impossible to escape, but in many ways this album is actually more exciting than that band's last opus. As it stands, this is recommended listen to melodic metal fans whether it be of the death metal genre or not and also to fans that are simply looking for an enjoyable metal experience.

Rating: 7 out of 10