Wolf: Feeding The Machine (Century Media Records) [Matt Bladen]
Swedish heavy metal troupe Wolf return with their latest record, their first since 2014's Devil's Seed,. Once again it flies the flag for the old school sound of heavy metal, where bullet belts, tight jeans and long hair were the uniform and a twin axe attack was mandatory. Now featuring Pontus Egberg (King Diamond) on bass and drummer Johan Koleberg (ex-Therion, ex-Lion’s Share) as part of a revamped line up Feeding The Machine is their 8th album with founding member Niklas Stålvind (vocals/guitar) still firmly at the helm as long term guitarist Simon Johansson his six string foil. Stålvind's voice is unmistakably raw as it barks about yet more horror troupes (title track), flights of fantasy and speed metal go-to's such as Many of the riffs gallop at rapid speed getting the head nodding from very inception of this record.
Shoot To Kill is pure blast speed metal but they also have slower numbers that take a more mid-paced stomping route in the traditional NWOBHM sound, check out Dead's Man Hand which has a bit of mid-period Maiden to it. Feeding The Machine sees Niklas giving his most varied vocal performance so far giving a more melodic sound to this record while retaining the nastier metal edge they have always had. Feeding The Machine also features probably the first (and only) song dedicated to Uri Geller on Spoon Bender along with a bit of Annihilator like oddness on The Cold Emptiness, in fact Wolf have always owed more to the thrash scene than the more traditional metal scene, still they are still one of the keepers of the heavy metal flame. Currently on tour with Grand Magus Wolf will be surely ripping up a venue near you again soon. 7/10
Deadrisen: S/T (AFM Records) [Matt Bladen]
What can I say about Deadrisen? If you like Symphony X then you'll like their self titled album. Fine I'll elaborate but that folks is pretty much the nadir of this review. This record neatly melds prog and power metal with great effect adding the occasional nod to trad metal too especially in the bass playing of Symphony X man Mike LePond who founded the band with guitarist Rod Rivera a man who made his name in Christian metal band Rivera/Bomma. Now he's a brilliant guitarist and very much the focus of this record along with LePond though that can be said about LePond and Micheal Romeo in Symphony X. Both talented virtuosos yes but we didn't need bass heavy version of Metallica's For Whom The Bell Tolls to close out the record. But that's another story back to their own songs and they never really move out of the prog/power sound with rapid drumming from Dan Prestup (Midnight Eternal), classical keyboard lines from Tony Stahl (Livesay), though for me it's singer Will Shaw (Heir Apparent) who steals the show being almost a dead ringer for one Mr Russell Allen, his gruff delivery hitting the nail on the head everytime. The songs here are so polished you can see yourself in them and that does sometimes pose a problem, as Deadrisen does occasionally veer into one big cauldron of wizardry with little variation. Still if you are a Symphony X fanboy why not pick up yet another release featuring their bass player (he really does get around), although this one is so similar legal action maybe required. 6/10
Scarab: Martyrs Of The Storm (Black Lodge) [Rich Oliver]
Martyrs Of The Storm is the third album by Egyptian death metallers Scarab. When you hear the words Egyptian and death metal put together it is hard not to associate with Nile but whilst Nile are Egyptian themed death metal, Scarab are actually from Egypt and are a completely different beast altogether. What we have on Martyrs Of The Storm is some very solid death metal which varies in styling and pacing from absolutely ferocious numbers like Circles Of Verminejya to more epic slow burners like Necropotence. It is a mix of the old school filth of Morbid Angel, the crushing brutality of Blood Red Throne and the epic grandeur of Behemoth. It’s a potent combination and devastatingly well produced but it can be a bit on the repetitive side and after a while a lot of the songs don’t seem to really stand out. Really this is a only a minor complaint as the music on here is incredibly solid but Scarab seem to play too much to their influences rather than having their own distinct identity. Martyrs Of The Storm is a very solid piece of death metal which whilst not too original sounding is a damn good listen nonetheless. 7/10
Smoulder: The Dream Quest Ends (Cruz Del Sur Music) [Matt Bladen]
The Dream Quest Ends is an EP from Canadian epic doom/classic metal band Smoulder, following up their amazing debut, Times Of Obscene Evil And Wild Daring from last year, this can be seen as a stopgap release ready for another full length follow up. It features two new songs, a cover and three demo tracks of songs from the debut. The two new songs are the suitably epic title track and Warrior Witch Of Hell which both again bring doomy riffs and the wailing vocal of Sarah Ann who perfectly captures the epic feel of this band. Much like Johan Längqvist or Messiah Marcolin did fronting Candlemass, Tim Baker does at the head of Cirith Ungol or indeed Mark 'The Shark' Shelton does behind the mic of Manilla Road. In fact Manilla Road loom large with Smoulder covering Cage Of Mirrors as the final 'proper' track. The EP ends with three demo tracks which are rough and ready to be polished into what came on the debut giving an insight into the bands composing process. The Dream Quest Ends is as I said a stopgap, but one that keeps Smoulder in your consciousness. 7/10
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