Stairway-Interregnum

Self-produced
2010



Stairway's fifth album is firmly cemented in a NWOBHM sound. Think Iron Maiden as the core, but with traces of numerous other acts of the time like Anglewitch, Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and others tossed in. The result is a mix of past sounds with elements of metal and melodic hard rock coming together in a smooth, cool sound with just enough sharp edges to make it interesting. The album as a whole is slightly under produced with a slightly fuzz texture around the guitars and the drums being just a little light. That approach while intentional or not takes away from the overall power perhaps, but the production along with the style make it sound like it could have been recorded in 1982. This trio isn't exactly the tightest band on the planet. The music meanders at times and there too many gaps where there just isn't enough going on. Still Stairway manage to do enough to keep you hanging in there. The rhythms frequently strong and instantly likable. The vocals are consistent although not overwhelming. Also they do an admirable job of mixing up the styles."Interregnum" isn't an album that's going to knock you out with anything remarkable, but there is a certain familiar charm to their sound that's easy to latch onto.