Reviews: Warkings, Slaughter To Prevail, Witchcryer, Birth (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

Warkings - Revolution (Napalm Records)

The four ancient kings return once again to guide the battle hoards towards victory with their third full length album Revolution which follows on from 2018's Reborn and 2020's Revenge with another 10 tracks of proper chest beating power/battle metal. Again the rhythm section of The Viking (bass) and The Spartan (drums) forge a powerful bottom end, driving the marching pace of Sparta Pt. II where the guitar riffs are augmented by Bouzouki as the lyrics talk of the ill-fated 300. Yes it's a well told tale but there are so few historical battles left that haven't been written about at this point that really you have to go with it. Talking of riffs they are carved out by The Crusader with ease as he slips into solos galore too, tracks such as the revolutionary Fight pitch it well right before the final chorus repeat. It's a guitar style that comes from power metal past, with some Germanic thrust to it as well. 

Rounding out this historical four piece is The Tribune who commands the songs with his recognisable voice, I won't let on about the real identities of these men but the vocals are very familiar to power/symphonic metal fans. He's joined on the anthemic Spartacus by Chris Harms of Lord Of The Lost providing aggressive counterpoint vocals. Revolution is yet another call to arms from Warkings, full of battle hymns that will get fans of Hammerfall and Sabaton bouncing. It's not a hugely progressive or much of different from their previous outings. But it's damn good fun and if history lessons were more like this then everyone would take it in school! 7/10

Slaughter To Prevail - Kostolom (Sumerian)

Throwing this out their before I begin, deathcore is not a genre I will rush to. I find it all a bit similar, the endless use of breakdowns, low end battery and vocal grunts does tend to lose my interest after a while. However they have a very loyal fan base, though most of whom are a nightmare in a mosh pit. Slaughter To Prevail's frontman Alex Terrible, has over 750,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, his extreme metal vocal covers gaining him a very loyal fanbase, most of whom will obviously follow him over into his band Slaughter To Prevail, where he puts his expressive vocal style on display for everyone. Now I will give the man kudos as his voice has every facet of extreme metal singing to it Agony in the Slipknot Corey Taylor vein, while first single Baba Yaga comes from a place so guttural that the sludge will be covered in sludge, while also taking a growl. Elsewhere Bonebreaker brings a touch of Lamb Of God, Demolisher having an unstoppable battery to it, along with some gargling grunts. This Russian deathcore mob are as heavy as a truck full of anvils in a lead lined sack, battering you at every opportunity. For a second album Kostolom is a meaty slab of ball crushing metal, one that will excite deathcore fans and Slipknot lovers alike. It hasn't changed my mind, but I can appreciate the talent here. 6/10

Witchcryer - When Their Gods Come For You (Ripple Music)

Following up their 2018 debut album with their latest release When Their Gods Come For You a concept record that is based around mythological stories, from Faust, to Roman/Greek Mythology and all points in between, this is a record about tales and images. Suzy Bravo the bands vocalist is very aware of the link between stories and illustrations having dabbled in various religions along with these epic tales from history that inspire numerous other creative works. The Austin, Texas based, classic metal band, channel these stories through an epic style of doom that also draws from NWOBHM as well. Suzy's voice is raspy and full of grit, she stands out front leading the band in these riff-fests. Driving the musical power is the six stringing of Lee Jason Muxlow. He comes from the Iommi school of riffage while the powerful backing of  Marilyn on bass and Javi Moctezuma drums which brings those Sabbath grooves to songs such as Blackfoot Creation Story/Spirit Power. Witchcryer remind me a lot of fellow Texans The Sword, their mixture of classic and doom metal is so appealing, and on When Their Gods Come For You the band have released their most fully fledged album yet. 7/10

Birth - Birth (Tee Pee Records)

Birth have just signed to Bad Omen Records and their debut album is due in 2022. However as precursor to this the bands demo EP, which is released through Tee Pee Records, is being promoted by Bad Omen Records, to introduce the band to their clientele. This is three track EP of what are essentially demos, so the production is a little rough (though I've heard far worse). But I will warn you here dear reader that this is prog, proper, mind bending, expansive prog for fans of bands such as King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator and early-Yes. It's expected if you know that the band features two members from the 70's Prog revivalists Astra, who have an albums that feature extensive use of jazz time signatures, racks of keys, delicate guitars and fantasy storytelling. 

Conor Riley (keyboards/acoustic guitar/vocals) and Brian Ellis (lead guitar/keyboard) were key members of the San Diego band, those waves and waves of Mellotron and Hammond organs a key sound that is brought to this new venture. Supporting them are Psicomagia bassit Trevor Mast and Psicomagia drummer Paul Marrone plays on this recording but I believe is no longer in the band. This EP starts us off on our astral journey with some Hammonds that ape Deep Purple's When A Blind Man Cries as Marrone brings spacial percussion, Mast a throbbing rhythm for the multitude of keys. Ellis' guitar playing is elegant and masterful, soaring with clean melodies against the keys which are clearly the most prominent instrument. 

Under this cinematic approach though is Riley's lilting acoustic guitar and melodic vocal which is a unison of Anderson's both Jon (Yes) and Ian (Jethro Tull). I made reference to the point that these three tracks are demos, but Christ the production doesn't disappoint and the music...well that makes me feel all gooey inside. Proper prog from some modern masters. Bring on the debut! 8/10