I normally avoid Black Sabbath worship, but it is a contrast to the Euro-doom I have been reviewing for the past couple of days, though the opening track of this album is really the only saving grace for them the piercing vocals. If not for them they would sound just like Sabbath, In some ways perhaps he is trying to emulate young Ozzy, but that is not how it is executed. It takes the influence and is run through the filter of who he is. The guitarist also does not solo like Iommi, so that is another thin saving grace. The second song finds them showing more of their true selves. The shuffling riff is more Sabbath, but the guitar embellishments and vocals are not.
The vocals are really well produced, and their singer makes the most of the pipes he has. This aids in his delivery on "Sword of Vengence" which has a more "Children of the Grave" feel, the vocals are the chorus are hooky and stand out, almost more like solo Ozzy than something he would have done during the Sabbath years. "the Ring" finds them delving into Tolkien, the vocals sticking to the more robotic delivery. The guitar solo is more shreddy than Iommi worship would be, We are back to a more "Children of the Grave" style gallop for "Bought and Sold" Lyrically it is the best song, as it is about the Pandemic, and strays from the accepted narrative to say somethings that need to be said.
They continue down a more political path with "Number 46" which is about Joe Biden I would assume since he is the 46th president. But to their credit are getting to hear more of who they are as this song has more of a stoner rock feel to it. "I Am Death' has a more "Into the Void " chug to it, but the accents break it up a little. Then there is a "Lord of This World" feel to "Queen of Darkness". Perhaps a teenager who does not know shit about shit is going to be fooled by, but I have listened to a shit ton of Black Sabbath over the years so not a person who is not going to hear this.
Where I have to draw the line with these guys is when they steal from "After Forever" and try to play it off as an original when it comes to the melody of 'Evil Woman" showing even less creativity since that is the title of another Black Sabbath song. Then they cover "National Acrobat" which makes me feel they are a Sabbath cover band at some point. Granted they are going to do a spot-on job of it as it is what they do, this guy does not have the soulful quality to his voice that Ozzy does so he is singing the notes not fully feeling them I gotta round this down to an 8, due to the lack of originality, though when they show who they really are I enjoyed those moments, hopefully they will grow into their own band.
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