Mystik: Mystik (2019)

This band could be huge.  Mystik released their debut full-length album this year and they have some things going for them that could definitely attract attention from the metal press.  For one, they fit in quite well with the revival of 1980's-sounding true heavy metal.  They would do quite well on a playlist with groups like Enforcer, Haunt and other groups carrying the torch for true heavy metal.  Two, they are quite good.  This album sounds terrific, just a good old-school metal album.  And then there's that other thing...

Okay, fine.  Here is that other thing:

This is three of the four members of the band.  So now, you see that other thing.

As I say frequently about stuff I review here, this review is solely about the music.  The fact that three (now actually two, as one member has since left the band) of the members are beautiful women is not important to this review.  What is important is that Mystik fucking rocks.  The songs are generally fast-paced with Maiden-esque riffs and Julia von Krusenstjerna's smoky vocals soaring over the riffs.  It helps that the songs are catchy as hell, with sing-along choruses and head-banging riffs.

Mystik's debut is a terrific slab of traditional metal with roots in groups like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and of course Warlock.  The playing is tight and the songs infectious.  It would not be a surprise to see this band become metal press favorites, but hopefully people will realize that this band is so much more than three women playing metal.  They are fantastic musicians first and foremost.