Heir Apparent - Graceful Inheritance (1986)

Artist: Heir Apparent

Release Title: Graceful Inheritance

Release Type: Full Length

Release Year: 1986

Artist Genre: Power Metal

Artist Origin: U.S.A.

Track Listing:
1. Entrance 2. Another Candle 3. The Servant 4. Tear Down The Walls 5. Running From The Thunder 6. The Cloak 7. R.I.P. (Live) 8. Hands Of Destiny   9. Keeper Of The Reign 10. Dragon's Lair 11. Masters Of Invasion 12. Nightmare 13. A.N.D....Drogro Lived On
Total playing time 46:16

In the wake of more melodic and progressive American Power Metal bands like Queensryche and Fates Warning making big waves in the underground in the mid 80's, saw other bands wanting to ply their trade down this road. Crimson Glory were one that popped up in 1986, another that same year were this band Heir Apparent. This is a majestic sounding record with quite, dare I say, a "sweet" melodic quality but don't worry not sweet in a Sonata Arctica/ Rhapsody "let's play ring a ring a rosey with some dragons, drink honey tea then crash out and have gay sex all night" type fashion. This has class.

Plenty of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest influence in the lead guitars just like all good power metal should have, and lots of nice hooks and vocals in the choruses. Real winners on here are "Keeper Of The Reign", "The Servant" and 'Dragon's Lair" and there's hardly any filler. The albums gets more angry towards the end with the speedy and snarling "Nightmare" and "Dragon's Lair" so hold on and listen to it all the way through if you're starting to wish you were listening to "Hell Awaits" instead. This is one of the staples of American Power Metal. Give it a whirl, especially if you like early Queensryche, Fates Warning, late 80's Iron Maiden and just melodic metal in general.