Has enough power chords and frenetic guitar solos to keep classic rock aficionados happy.

High Heels is a Swiss band and although founded in 2006 has just released its debut and self-titled album. Its sound is very much old school and straight forward rock in the style of both US sleaze rock and NWOBHM (not sure if that term is in vogue nowadays!) bands such as the glorious Saxon and the like. As a result, all tracks on the album are no-nonsense rock, the flip side being there are no real surprises. However, within the context of their chosen sound, High Heels pulls out all the stops and so there are prerequisite fuzz box solos, false endings and I dare say the drummer spins his sticks before each fill.

Vocally, there are shades of Ozzy there with a bit of nod to Scott Weiland and is particularly strong on 'Way Of Life' and 'Cold As Ice' which are more epic and demonstrate a fair degree of light and shade.

Of course, there are guitar riffs galore; with High Heels having a twin guitar attack they shine on the solo for 'Magic Circle', not to mention the Schenker style ending to the song.

There is nothing to dislike on this album and rest assured, it is has enough power chords and frenetic guitar solos to keep classic rock aficionados happy.

Rob McKenzie