If you’re male and in your late thirties or forties then there’s a good chance that Star Wars played a significant part in your childhood. From the movies themselves to the toys, books, comics, games, clothes, and basically the relentless merchandising conveyor belt in general, Star Wars was everywhere.

In fact, the chances of successfully navigating a television commercial break in the early ’80s without some form of Star Wars product being advertised were approximately 3,720 to 1.

For some, the Star Wars craze was a passing fad, a phase soon outgrown with the advent of Transformers and He-Man. But for some, including the younger generations introduced to the films by their parents, and those who fell for the dubious charms of George Lucas’s CGI-laden prequels, the films became a way of life.

So in that respect, it’s quite surprising to find that a full-on Star Wars themed Heavy Metal band has taken so long to materialize. But materialize they have in the form of Galactic Empire, a five-piece outfit from a galaxy far, far away (don’t blame me for that one – that’s what it says on their Facebook page).

Taking eleven assorted (Bantha) tracks from the John Williams composed scores, the band have recreated each piece virtually note for note for their debut album, the self-titled Galactic Empire (Rise Records), but with a distinctly metal edge.

Dispensing with the pleasantries, the band launch into the ‘Main Theme’ and ‘Imperial March’ before turning their replacement robotic hands to pieces like ‘Duel of the Fates’, ‘The Asteroid Field’, ‘Battle of the Heroes’, ‘The Forest Battle’, ‘Across The Stars’, and of course ‘Cantina Band’.

By now, some of you will probably be saying you have a bad feeling about this, and as much as your lack of faith is disturbing, it has to be said that some parts don’t quite come off as well as hoped. As expertly as the playing clearly is, the recordings obviously lack the power of a full orchestra behind them, and the stop/start chuggy rhythms and double kick drums can sound quite empty in places. However, for the most part it hits the target in the exact same way an Imperial Stormtrooper doesn’t, exploding into your face like a well-aimed thermal detonator.

While it’s not the first time that the Star Wars theme has been given a makeover, you can rest easy in the knowledge that Galactic Empire is a far cry from the 1977 disco nightmare of Meco.

It’s not a trap!

8.0/10

GARY ALCOCK