I approach traditional heavy metal coming out in 2026 with trepidation. I am often afraid it will sound too much like power metal. This would make it too happy for me, with more emphasis on solos and yodels that go nowhere. This might seem odd considering how some of my favorite bands are Iron Maiden, Dio, and King Diamond. All of whom employ dramatic yodelling, but in a darker, more serious manner. This band gets it right on the opening track, which finds powerfully sung vocals that do not get mired down in silliness.
They pack a more aggressive punch on the second song. They are also going for a more retro warmth in the production than everything reverbed out. The vocals are belted with a great deal of balls to them, and focused on melodies more than just swinging for the fence, trying to make each note more operatic than the last. They work off more of a stoner groove for "Red of Tooth and Claw". "Desire Lines" makes me think of Only Living Witness with its catchier riffing.
"Desolations Wake" is more driving. I like how the vocals are produced here as well. "Time's Distance" finds a proggy nuance wrapping around the intro riff, before things get down to business, with an energy similar to the opening track. "Phantom Pain" has a more stoner swagger before ebbing down into a moodier place to give the vocals room. It also has the most psychedelic moments of the album. I will give this album a 10 as it excels at navigating this style of metal, which holds classic crunch without sounding dated or being too happy and anthemic. Fans of bands like the Sword should, without question, give these guys a shot. It not mellow out weed music but bang your head weed music.
No comments:
Post a Comment