Needs Must When The Devil Drives
Shane Embury’s old-school heavy metal project Absolute Power has released its second album, *Needs Must When the Devil Drives*, 15 years after its debut. The review praises the record’s energetic blend of classic British metal influences and sees it as a joyful expression of Embury’s roots.
The 11-track album features vocalist and producer Simon Efemy alongside guests including former Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens, who appears on the title track. Most songs draw on the sound of Saxon, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Dio-era Black Sabbath, while “Within” takes a more dreamy, semi-acoustic approach and “Sheer Heart Attack” covers Queen; the review scores it 8 out of 10.
In short
- Absolute Power’s second album arrives 15 years after its debut.
- The record celebrates traditional British heavy metal.
- The review awards it 8 out of 10.
Explained simply
Shane Embury is a British musician best known as the bassist in Napalm Death, a band associated with extreme metal. Absolute Power is his separate, old-school heavy metal project, drawing on the British and American metal styles that shaped his musical roots.
The album features vocalist and producer Simon Efemy, with guest appearances including Tim “Ripper” Owens, formerly of Judas Priest. Its songs range from classic metal to a semi-acoustic track and a cover of Queen’s “Sheer Heart Attack”.