Classic metal is done very well by The Swedes, though what isn't really? It's to the point now that almost all of their bands are a supergroup of sorts. Knights Of The Realm draws members from Eclipse, Tiamat, Tank and Avatarium and they are a unashamed homage to the leather clad sounds of 80's classic metal, forged in the fires of NWOBHM, speed metal and the occult. Darker Than Leather brings together all the good bits of Priest, Dio, Mercyful Fate even the likes of Venom as well as the countless additions to the NWOTHM such as Enforcer and even Grand Magus.
Releasing their debut in 2021, this follow up doubles down on their style but adds some personal touches to the lyrics to add some introspection and maturity to their approach. Lars Sköld behind the kit is joined by bassist Mats Rydström as a full time member, taking their live line up into the studio for the first time. This now experienced duo add that extra layer of muscle to the fireworks of guitarist Magnus Henriksson, as the band exudes the "power of metal" on Hell Can Wait.
Then we get a Saxon-like biker groove on Killer Machine and things become more dramatic on The Dark. The latter showing off the powerful vocals of Marcus Von Boisman who has a good amount of grit even when the band move towards some melodic realms on Love Hunter.
Knights Of The Realm are classic metal, grab your leathers and turn up the volume. 7/10
Bloodorn - Let The Fury Rise (Reaper Entertainment)
Another supergroup, this time international, this time playing power metal. Meaty, American style power metal. Founded by Sirenia members Nils Coubaron (guitar) and Michael Brush (drums) they are joined by Silent Winter singer Mika Livas and Freedom Call bassist Francesco Saverio Ferraro. Let The Fury Rise is full bore speed metal if Dragonforce went down a thrashier route.
Tracks such as Fear The Coming Wave and Under The Secret Sign both have that mix of styles, the latter featuring some brilliant guitar work and lightspeed drumming. The accelerator stays firmly on the floor as Rise Up Again adds more aggression and synths, again there's even more synths on Tonight We Fight used against the heaviest track on the album. So Bloodorn bring a muscular style of power metal to the table, their experience meaning that Let The Fury Rise is brilliant listen for any shred fans, there's even a cover of Ghost's Square Hammer which gets a speed metal makeover for the better to end the album.
I had high hopes for Let The Fury Rise and for the most part they were met. Warp speed, aggressive power metal from a multi-national cast of skilled musicians. 7/10
Night Laser - Call Me What You Want (Steamhammer/SPV)
Glam...it's one of those genres...it's either decent or bloody awful. A lot of that stems from the cringe lyrics and the image surrounding it. Very much of it's time you can think about any modern glam bands without thinking of the big hair and spiky guitars of Ratt, Poison or even Def Leppard.
Hamburg band Night Laser look to change the opinion with the fourth album Call Me What You Want, the band called it their most diverse record yet, recorded for the first time together there's a lot more cohesion in the compositions as they can all feed off one another while the lyrics do away with fast cars and women for socio-political and personal metaphors.
So it's mature sleaze, recently added guitarists Felipe Zapata Martinez and Vincent Hadeler playing the twin axe attack as new drummer Ingemar Hadeler locks in with founding member Robert Hankers, brother Benno behind the mic. It's Benno that spoils this album from me as it could be the best music I've ever heard but his voice doesn't sit well, it's too strained and shrill, even when they breach into classic metal or even power metal, I still find it distracting.
A shame as there's a lot to like if you're a fan of the genre and they do add strings and keys much more to make it more than just glam/metal but I did find myself tuning out. 5/10
Electron - Hollow EP (Self Released)
Bristling with electronics and Nu-metal influences Electron spark up some modern metallic noise that's got leanings towards the scene of 20 years ago (that hurts to say) comparisons to bands such ad Korn or Architects are both valid as they have a darkness but also huge melodies, sometimes moving beyond the soundscapes of a trio.
Recorded with Romesh Dodangoda who knows a thing or too about making an album sound modern, this EP then has a lot of potential around it, potential that can be heard on Tame! an electronic rocker with aggressive vocals that is anything but that, Hollow too brings some hooky choruses but at times there are dips on The Unbound and Loathe which are not much more than angsty brooding but still not bad.
Consisting of Jason Payne (vocals/guitar), Joanna Hyde (bass), and Nuno Bessa (drums) there's lots to enjoy about Electron if you like modern metal. 7/10
Electron - Hollow EP (Self Released)
Bristling with electronics and Nu-metal influences Electron spark up some modern metallic noise that's got leanings towards the scene of 20 years ago (that hurts to say) comparisons to bands such ad Korn or Architects are both valid as they have a darkness but also huge melodies, sometimes moving beyond the soundscapes of a trio.
Recorded with Romesh Dodangoda who knows a thing or too about making an album sound modern, this EP then has a lot of potential around it, potential that can be heard on Tame! an electronic rocker with aggressive vocals that is anything but that, Hollow too brings some hooky choruses but at times there are dips on The Unbound and Loathe which are not much more than angsty brooding but still not bad.
Consisting of Jason Payne (vocals/guitar), Joanna Hyde (bass), and Nuno Bessa (drums) there's lots to enjoy about Electron if you like modern metal. 7/10
No comments:
Post a Comment