Founded in 1981
and releasing their first album only in 1986, Siren displays a well
done Heavy Metal. Siren got started in very early ‘80s with a self
financed demo ‘Metro-Mercenary’ surfacing in ’84, that became a sought
after release, showcasing a raw, NWOBHM influenced power metal sound
with dark overtones. Without doubts, the highlight is the vocalist Doug
Lee. His timber is unique: Powerful, shrill and almost a metallic sound.
After a series of further demos, Siren would finally get a chance to
churn out a full length after snagging a small deal with Flametrader.
Undervalued and forgotten over the time, No Place Like Home is a Heavy
Metal pearl that deserved greater recognition and luck. ‘No Place Like
Home’ features a slightly cleaner, though still dark and fantastical
blend of progressive power metal that shows some definite refinement in
the bands sound, as well as a good deal of variation throughout. Though
somewhat having their own sound (not to the extent of their phenomenally
unique fellow-Florida peers), one could say that Siren’s sound is
comparable at times to Syrus, Graven Image, Savatage, Banshee, Matthias
Steele and especially Northwestern legends Glacier. Though often branded
as ‘progressive’ metal – they don’t quite have the technical overtures
of bands like Jester’s March or Queensryche - the progressive aspects
are not as full-blown, but they are there. This album largely revolves
around dark, shadowy power metal tracks like the thundering ‘Terrible
Swift Sword’ and moody openers ‘Black Death’ and ‘So far to Go’. There’s
definite comparisons to some of the other darker power metal bands out
there, but Siren, with it’s progressive touches is somewhat more refined
– less raw and aggressive than bands like Graven Image, though with as
dark a vibe going on as almost anyone - Sinister Angel included. Line-up / Musicians Doug "Dead" Lee/vocals Rob Phillips/guitar Ed Aborn/drums Faxon Kotz/guitar Scott Wallace/guitar Gregg Culbertson/bass Discography(Album) No Place Like Home 1986
1.Black Death 2.So Far to Go 3.Over the Rainbow 4.Shadows of the Future Past 5.The Mine 6.Terrible Swift Sword 7.Burning Bridges 8.Another Lost Love 9.A Place in Time 10.Iron Coffins
