Queensryche had quite an impact on the world of progressive music, especially around their home territory. Heir Apparent are also from the Seattle area and are very much influenced by the “Ryche”. Vocalist Steve Benito is a ringer for Geoff Tate, both in range and delivery, and musically the band sound like the Warning era.
This album was originally released on Metal Blade in ’89, although I do believe a reissue appeared a few years ago. Other than the total cheese ballad Alone Again and the cringe worthy cover of The Sound Of Silence, this is not a bad effort and it’s a mystery as to why they disappeared after this album.
They certainly know how to deliver songs in a very dramatic and epic sounding way. Cacophony Of Anger has a very dramatic intro before settling down to a Maiden-style gallop. My favourite however is the more snappy and to the point Young Forever. It’s a short riff heavy rocker that they should have done more of.
If you like a sense of the dramatic in your Prog metal listening then you should seek this one out.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
