It admittedly has a slightly strange cover, OUT OF THE LAIR's first CD "Psychotears“, doesn't really give me any clue as to what awaits me musically. Still I have to give respect to the Greeks, because the whole booklet is done very well and interesting and the CD even comes in a slipcase, such a strong packaging we normally don't even get with bigger labels, even less from an underground band, so we have a band here that is serious about it, a very good start right away.

The basis of the Thessaloniki based quartet definitely is Power Metal, BUT (yes, this is a big but) just as definitely not the next copy of HELLOWEEN (and consorts), but a rougher, at times kind of thrashy variant of this sub-genre, which makes them stand apart from the majority of their colleagues and shows that they do not try the easy way to get the name of OUT OF THE LAIR out there.

After the fittingly titled "Intronoise-X“ that almost had my ears quit on me, "Flying Surf“ thunders ahead with driving double-bass, sawing riffs and a great lead, before Spyros' voice sets in, which is by far not as polished as most of his colleagues, but is rougher and lower, but with all originality here and there sounds as if he tried too much with the at times pretty intricate and heavy vocal lines. “G.O.D.” starts with a great classical (as in classical music) lead/riff that threads through the swift song and gives it a pretty own touch, here, too they don't shy away from differing from the typical Power Metal, as the sudden thrashy outbreak in the middle shows, altogether a driving, melodic and variable song, which showcases on big plus of the OUT OF THE LAIR sound: The great, tight guitar work of Spyros and Dim, over an equally tight rhythm section, which forms the back bone of the songs.

The Eighties are all over the style of OUT OF THE LAIR, no matter, if in the chorus of speedy "Nosferatu“ or the general riffing, Spyros' vocals also bear this decade in them, not polished, but more sung with force. On “Vampire Lady” he, though, goes overboard a but, over a quite rocking song he puts some vocal lines that really get to my nerves, but thankfully this is the exception of the rule. The title track “Psychotears” then is the maybe most variable track, with diverse vocals (of course again sounding a lot like the 80s), changing rhythms and good riffing, before “Out Of The Lair” sets out with a great riff and then closes things off in strong fashion and a driving manner, even though Spyros reaches his limits here and there, but still a great closer, no question.

For a self-production I must say that the overall package is really convincing and shows that the band is taking this seriously. Now that not everything is in the green musically also comes through, but still “Psychotears” has turned out to be a really good old school album with charm, which fans of this era should definitely check out! (Online February 11, 2004 )
rate: 7/10

(Alex)