Behind the Wire is a vinyl re-release from the Chariot’s album from 2006 (their third full length release). The English rockers have improved their sound with a better production and at the same time they are keeping the line close to their roots. The songwriting seems somehow modern although we are listening to the old non-transitional 80es hard rock/heavy metal. The music reminds a lot of Kiss and the early White Snake. But Chariot have their style despite it seems that their golden days have already passed.
Chariot are known from the NWOBHM scene between 1983 and 1987. Their reunion was in 2004. Does the band succeed to keep its charm till today? In my point of view it does although the lack of new ideas and unique music. You cannot expect anything innovative from Chariot. Their last album is a great effort for comeback. They have done it properly with this re-release because the sound is great; the big cover looks awesome and for the classic hard rock/heavy metal vinyl is the best. For true collectors only!
The tracks I could recommend are: “Heart of Stone”, “No Emotion”, and “The Hunger”. The vocals of Pete Franklin are rather characteristic, but not bad. The riffs are good and catchy. Most of the songs are quite slow. This music quite fits for the home-like of my slippers while sitting at the sofa in front of the TV monitor. It is pleasant and calm. There is nothing that could torment my mind in it. If someday I consider my wild spirit grown enough for this absorbing placidity I will listen to “Behind the Wire” - a satisfactory comeback of Chariot in 2010!
