Album Review: Leather – II (High Roller Records)

Without the shadow of a doubt Leather Leone is one of the most legendary female heavy metal vocalists of all time. She began her singing career by joining up with guitar wunderkind David T. Chastain. In 1989, Leather released her first solo effort called ‘Shock Waves’ through David Chastain’s own Leviathan Records label.

A mere 29 years later she is now presenting her follow up album simply called ‘Leather II’ released April 13th 2018 via High Roller Records.

“I have never thought of ‘Leather II’ as a follow up,” Leone says. “That was so long ago, and I was so not in touch with life as I am now. I have been with this record from a simple conversation with the band in Colombia to now. The experience of that is extremely different than »Shock Waves«. I am in a total different place with a different family. I am finally okay with my mind and have found a team that is with me. With ‘Shock Waves’ I was young and not asking questions. I believe it is a life process that I am blessed enough to continue. So no, this is not a follow up, this is a new chapter.”

II is an album of old school heavy metal mixing the classic rhythm of the likes of Judas Priest and Rainbow with a slightly harder edge at times. With focus heavy on Leather’s vocals, her high-pitches have a bit of croak about them that adds plenty of authenticity to proceedings. She has no problems blasting out soaring shrieks.

Tracks like The Outsider and Lost at Midnite blaze with fire that will make you think of leather jackets, big hair & spiked collars. There’s no escaping the fact that II is of a time & because of that it already sounds quite dated.

Truthfully, if it wasn’t for the excellent guitar work delivering crunching riffs and screeching solos it would probably be quite a forgettable release. It’s not bad, it’s just not particularly exciting. Although when it reaches a higher gear such as on The One it’s very good.

Annabelle takes the ballad (kind of) baton & while it initially shows promise & imagination it trips & goes down hard. Things do pick up with a better showing from Hidden in the Dark and Sleep Deep, both tracks that have plenty of rocking riffs & vocal range about them.

The final handful of tracks keep things ticking along nicely enough. Let Me Kneel being the most impressive of the bunch thanks to some nice bite to the vocals.

It’s a good effort that appeals to those looking for a classic metal sound & not much else. On that front Leather won’t disappoint.

Leather – II Full Track Listing:

1. Juggernaut
2. The Outsider
3. Lost at Midnite
4. Black Smoke
5. The One
6. Annabelle
7. Hidden in the Dark
8. Sleep Deep
9. Let me Kneel
10. American Woman
11. Give Me Reason

You can order the album via High Roller Records here. It will be available via most streaming services including Apple Music where you can listen to Shock Waves below. Find out more/keep up to date with news via Facebook.