The problem with releasing a great album is that you then face enormous pressure when it comes to following it. In October of 2023, Long Island, New York trio Restless Spirit unleashed "Afterimage," and I, for one, was completely besotted with the record. It was wonderfully exciting and energetic, with plenty of grooves and an epic sound. Two and a half years later, the band are about to present their follow up to the superb third album in the form of their self-titled new release. So, how does "Restless Spirit" compare to "Afterimage?"

"The Burning Need," which was chosen as the record's first single, kicks the album off and gives the impression that the band are continuing right where they left off. It's practically impossible to hear this song and not move your feet and nod your head. One can picture it being selected as the opening number at upcoming live performances and the track would do that job perfectly. There's definitely an argument to be made that this is the album's strongest song, though it does face some competition from one or two other tracks.

In the review for "Afterimage," I mentioned that Restless Spirit felt like the successor to Orange Goblin, and that can still be heard on this effort, but not to the same extent. Instead, the trio seems to tap into their grunge influences, particularly Soundgarden, which can be heard on "Red In Tooth And Claw" to some degree, and even more clearly on "Desire Lines," which is reminiscent of "Spoonman." Elsewhere, "Desolation's Wake" is another example of Restless Spirit at their most enthralling, delivering a driving piece of metal that will sound just as fun in the car as it will in the live setting.

For all the good things about this album, it unfortunately does feel a little lacking compared to its predecessor. "Hallowed" channels their Ozzy Osbourne influence but it feels a little chaotic, and not in the fun way. Messiness is actually a fair common complaint I have about "Restless Spirit," as all too often it feels like the ideas aren't condensed enough when it comes to the song writing. Nowhere is that clearer than the closing track, "Phantom Pain," which clocks in at eight and a half minutes. There's a lot going on but it feels more like a medley than an epic, moving from one thought to the next without the pieces that hold it together to make it one piece.

Overall, "Restless Spirit" is a good album. There's plenty to enjoy and some of the songs are really exciting. What it lacks though is impact. A few times I caught myself thinking, "I know this is good, so why aren't I enjoying it?" It's hard to pinpoint exactly why, but the majority of the record definitely falls short in being memorable. To make a comparison, think of "Afterimage" as Restless Spirit's, "Let There Be Rock," and "Restless Spirit" as their "Powerage." It's fine, good even, but I don't come away with much. Fans of the band should still pick it up, and if you haven't heard them before, I'd still recommend it as a taste of what they're about.