REVIEW: Death Dealer, "Fueled Injected Suicide Machine" [EP]

By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: EP
Date Released: 10/12/2021
Label: Steel Cartel Records

 

“Fuel Injected Suicide Machine” CD track listing:
 
1. The Dead Never Listen
2. Fuel Injected Suicide Machine
3. Freedom Is Not A Crime
4. Blood For Gasoline
5. Invasion
 

The Review:
 
Death Dealer are as prolific as they are metal- that is to say very prolific and VERY metal. The band is a supergroup of sorts, being as it features the imperious Sean Peck on screaming vocals and no less a legend than ROSS THE BOSS on lead guitar. Stu Marshall is the musical mastermind behind the band and is ably assisted by new recruit Mike LePond on bass and the excellent Steve Bolognese on drums.
 

The band have been busy over the lockdown periods; they put this shredding EP together and main man Marshall is quoted as having album four finished and ready to go... and the bulk of album number five finished as well!
 
For those uninitiated, the band put out debut “War Master” a few years back, followed it up with the massive “Hallowed Ground” and then went one better in 2020 with the excellent “Conquered Lands” album- which was a heavy metal tour de force. This is US style power metal; so a mix of trad, power and thrash. It's adrenaline inducing and anthemic in equal measure and it rocks very hard.

 
This EP has a Mad Max vibe/theme running throughout the artwork and songs. Fans of the first film will recognise the title from the Night Rider's rant. It's a perfect theme for Aussie Marshall to riff on, and riff he does. The title track is a rager; you'll break the speed limit to this one- as you will to “Blood For Gasoline”. “Freedom Is Not A Crime” is a heavy metal anthem and sounds MASSIVE, while “Invasion” rounds out the EP with a mid paced headbanging assault by way of Mongol historical epic.
 

There are order options aplenty from the Steel Cartel label, with a couple of vinyl variants, cover variants, t-shirts etc. etc. This is Judas Priest meets Accept in the outback, ready to shoot some guns and make some noise. It's excellent and is heavy metal to the core. If the next Death Dealer full length album lives up to this, then all true metal fans are in for a treat.
 
“Fuel Injected Suicide Machine” is available HERE 

Band info: Official

ALBUM REVIEW: Wolftooth, "Blood & Fire"

 By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 03/12/2021
Label: Napalm Records

 
“Blood & Iron” CD//DD//LP track listing:
 
1). Ahab
2). Hellespont
3). Blood & Iron
4). A King’s Land
5). Broken Sword
6). The Voyage
7). Winter White
8). Garden of Hesperides
9). The Mare
 
 

The Review:
 
Indiana's Wolfooth are back with their third album. Now signed to the mighty Napalm Records, it appears that the band may follow the oft-referenced metal lore of 'making it' with the third release. Of course, that knowledge refers to commercial as well as creative success, and seems to be based around Metallica, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Slayer, Anthrax, Sepultura and so on... but not around bands from recent history.
 
Regardless of what may or may not happen to the band from here on out, they have international dates booked (Desertfest, London et. al.) plus real label support behind them so, they might just be the next big thing- with a small 'b' as this is traditonal metal mixed with stoner doom in the vein of The Sword's early work. This isn't a radio friendly unit shifter. This is for real metalheads.

 
Having reviewed, loved and bought both previous Wolftooth albums, I had high hopes for this record- I see Wolftooth as modern-day renegades fighting alongside the likes of Visigoth for real metal- yes, I know, I know; I'm a metal loser. Opener “Ahab” quickly nestles into the groove that the band have made their own for the previous records; this time referencing Moby Dick for epic story telling, referencing The Sword for riffs and marking a continuation of the sound that has brought them this far.
 
The material here is stellar; “Hellespont” is all glorious harmonies, glorious subject matter and glorious playing. Great track. Musically, we are in classic Wolftooth territory; epic, majestic: metal. That could also accurately describe the title track. “Blood & Iron” is Irish legend done right- judging by the band members surnames, a couple may have some interest in the history and folklore of the Emerald Isle. Even if they don't, this is a great homage to a great hero.
 
As the record progresses, there are flashes of Thin Lizzy/Celtic riff stylings, lots of chugging riffs and some really magical music. Whether it is the shuffling rhythms of “A King's Land” or the more speedy and aggressive attack of “Broken Sword” there is just so much to enjoy here. The latter is particularly strong and it's no surprise that this was chosen as an advance track. It picks up where “Sword of My Father” left off and just evokes images of Conan, Elric and any other number of mythical pulp heroes.

 
Wolftooth do escapism very well; this is pure enjoyment, delivering pure entertainment and the band chooses to dwell in the realms of myth, legend and fantasy. It's a wise choice and the bread and butter of many metal bands- but done exceedingly well here. The heavy hits keep coming; “Garden of Hesperides” is mighty, “Winter White” is weighty as hell. There are no bad tracks and if you aren't too keen on one riff, well, another one you will like will be along in a second!
 
The riffs are massive, the vocals crystal clear, the sound is warm, the mix is... unusual. The drums are too quiet. Play the record on headphones, they're quiet. Play it on a streaming device while other things are going on (you're cooking or typing or doing pretty much anything other than listening intently to the music) and the drums are just too low in the mix. Is this a minor gripe? Not exactly. It is important, but not a deal breaker. The drums sound great. The guitars sound great. It's just that the drums should be the loudly beating heart and instead they are like a backing track (in a bad way) to the guitars. The record is also quite quiet- but this is better than it being clipped and brickwalled, for sure. These are minor criticisms but I find them a little frustrating, as both prior albums sounded unique to the band and quirky in a good way- they also fairly leapt out of the speakers (I bought the vinyl and CD of each- as I have of this album)
 
The album does sound better when it is turned up loud; I bet it sounded superb on the studio speakers. I warmed to the mix after a  few listens, so give it some time. There is no way I'm going to let a mix or production gripe let me judge an album too harshly (to illustrate this point, Manilla Road are one of my favourite bands, “...And Justice For All” is one of my most listened to records etc.). The most important thing here is not the production or mix or artwork or anything other than the music itself. And the music is uniformly excellent.
 
By the time of “The Mare”, Wolftooth have made a pretty powerful statement- it closes the album out with a solid slab of metallic mythology. The final stretch is particularly good. There we have it; “Blood & Iron” is not as immediate as the previous two Wolftooth records, but it is a grower with hidden depths and full of all the best of the band's musical traits. It has great riffs, songs and playing while the vocals work perfectly with clear storytelling throughout.

 
If this is the album that does see the band get much wider recognition, then it will be well deserved. They've now made three excellent metal albums and absolutely deserve the credit coming their way. From the moment I listened to their first album, I knew I'd love this band. This album only makes me love them more.
 
 
“Blood & Iron” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: The Three Tremors, "“Guardians of the Void”

 By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 05/11/2021
Label: Steel Cartel Records

 

“Guardians of the Void” CD track listing:
 
1. Bone Breaker
2. Guardians of The Void
3. Kryptonian Steel
4. Crucifier
5. I Can’t Be Stopped
6. Frailty
7. Operation: Neptune Spear
8. Chained to The Oar
9. Catastrophe 
10. Wickedness and Sin
11. Fall of Rome
12. War of Nations
 

The Review:
 
The Three Tremors return with this, an adrenaline infused joy ride through the wastelands of true metal! The Three Tremors is an over-the-top concept for an over the top HEAVY METAL band. You get three vocalists; Sean Peck (Cage/Death Dealer/Denner-Sherman), Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer, Tyrant) and Tim 'Ripper' Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth, KK's Priest, Beyond Fear et. al.). All three vocalists sing on every track. The singers are ably assisted by the members of Cage, Peck's first band. Sean Elg (Cage/KK's Priest) turns in a crushing drum performance which belies his wiry and be-spectacled image, the mighty-thewed Dave 'Conan' Garcia and the shredding Casey 'The Sentinel' Trask rip it up on duel/dual guitars and the bass slot is filled by Rapheal 'Gamma Ray' Nogueria, who lays it down with precision and weight.
 
The first 'Tremors album was good; I enjoyed it hugely and was I lucky enough to catch the band live in Bradford, England, where they turned in a powerhouse set of METAL, including a couple of Cage and Priest classics. Here, the band have upped their game again and made a storming record. The name of the game here is, of course, HEAVY METAL. It's worthy of the capitals, because how much more METAL could this be?! The answer is... none.
 
Shredding guitars, thrashing drums, screaming vocals- it literally screams METAL at you through the speakers. We are firmly in Judas Priest/US Power Metal territory here; think the heaviness of the “Painkiller” album with thrash pacing on some tracks and you've got it. Opener “Bonebreaker” should convert you, if it doesn's, you probably just won't get this. At all.

 
The title track is a nitrous injected burst of speed and vengeance, while the rest of the album does have some surprises in store. They can do mid-paced (“Crucifier”), sinister (“Frailty”), comic book (“Kryptonian Steel) and lots more besides. “Operation: Neptune Spear” tells the story of the hunt and elimination of Bin Laden and is just about the most American and METAL track I've ever heard: furious pacing, jingoistic chest beating, unashamedly pro-gun, pro-revenge, pro-military, glorying-in-the-death-of-a-terrorist, screaming-for-vengeance METAL.
 
These songs will make you drive faster, that's for sure- whether or not that will be straight to a safe space or straight to a shooting range will be up to the listener's disposition and sensibilities! As the album continues, it's heavy hit after heavy hit; “Chained To The Oar” is the obligatory viking themed track, picking up where “The Wrath of Asgard” left off on the debut. It's a cracker. “Catastrophe”, “Wickedness and Sin” and the excellent “The Fall of Rome” continue to batter the listener into submission with body and head shot combinations. It's relentless and gloriously over the top.
 
By the time the record closes with “War of Nations”, you may feel drained by the nature of the aural assault. This, after all, is what METAL should be: it's supposed to be OTT, it's supposed to be turbo charged, it's supposed to be divisive and universal in equal measure. Overall, I'd heartily recommend this to fans of USPM, Judas Priest, Manowar, any of the associated bands of the players here. Indeed, most thrash fans would get something out of this, such is its ferocity and commitment to the riff, the solo and the scream. If you are of a sensitive disposition, prefer nuanced political and social stances and don't like METAL... this is not for you. If I could award this album a score, I would award it multiple battle-axes, thousands of rounds of ammunition and huge doses of steroids- and I would wrap those awards in a stars and stripes flag. Superlative HEAVY METAL.
 
“Guardians of the Void” is ONLY available as a physical product and is not streaming; I bought the digipack CD direct from the label, Steel Cartel. It's available on Amazon and elsewhere but it really does beg to be purchased- the artwork is great; the music is too. Support bands and music, please.
 

“Guardians of the Void” is available HERE

 

Band info: Official

REVIEW: Cirith Ungol, "Half Past Human" [EP]

By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: EP
Date Released: 28/05/2021
Label: Metal Blade Records

 
“Half Past Human” CD//DD//LP track listing:
 
1). Route 666
2). Shelob’s Lair
3). Brutish Manchild
4). Half Past Human
 
The Review:

Cirith Ungol's comeback was surely the comeback of the decade; it is no mean feat to revive a band decades after their dissolution AND make an album as convincing as “Forever Black”. Cirith Ungol managed it and are now back with this EP. Four Tracks of trad/doom/hard rock idiosyncrasy. Cirith Ungol have never been the easiest band to like or 'get' and this surely continues here. The themes are fantastical. The vocals are an acquired taste, the bass is bobbling in sound and high in the mix- just like on their debut, “Frost and Fire”. All of that said, this rocks. It's great.

Cirith Ungol are a cult band for a reason- they sound like no one else. They meld genres and sounds like no other band. They fall into a similar bracket to Manilla Road or Pagan Altar: you love them or you are just puzzled.

It is crucial to note that these are not exactly 'new' songs. Instead they are revived from the band's dim and distant past. We assume that they were thus written decades ago; certainly, none have been officially released before. This alone makes for a real fan's treat. Of the four tracks here, you get hard rocking proto-metal on “Route 666” and “Brutish Manchild”, The fantasy element (specifically Tolkien) is fulfilled on “Shelob's Lair”- with a great middle section riff and solo. The biggest treat here is saved for last, though. “Half Past Human” is close to seven and a half minutes in length and is a wonderful track. It is evocative of dynamic and maudlin early Judas Priest moments. Thematically it deals with a dystopian glimpse of the future, science fiction and technology providing ample inspiration.

Overall, then, this is four more new-old songs from Cirith Ungol, all of which sit well with anything else in their discography. For true fans, it’s a must. For casual listeners, this is a perfect introduction to the band, with all their eccentricities on display. It's magnificent, obviously.

“Half Past Human” is available HERE 

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Wytch Hazel, "III Pentecost"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 30/10/2020
Label: Bad Omen Records
 

“III Pentecost” CD//DD//LP track listing:
 
1). He is the Fight
2). Spirit and Fire
3). I Am Redeemed
4). Archangel
5). Dry Bones
6). Sonata
7). I Will Not
8). Reap The Harvest
9). The Crown
10). Ancient of Days

The Review:

Wytch Hazel, perhaps the North West of England's premier medieval metal band return with their third full length and it is an interesting and progressive beast. Their debut, “Prelude” was an excellent mix of particularly British hard rock, folk rock and proto-metal, while “Sojourn” went into more straightforward rocking territory.

This time around, the band have expanded their sound further and deliver songs that are thematically even more pro-Christian with a sound that is hard driving and whimsical by turns. “Pentecost”, as one might expect from the title is fairly steeped in Christian theology and comes on with a sound that mixes Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden to quite glorious effect.

The opener “He Is The Fight” lets you know exactly where you stand; approximately in 1975 in a  warm recording studio complete with ornate rugs and wooden floors. The sound and production is excellent; it's warm and vibrant with organic sounds aplenty. James Atkinson (of Gentlemens Pistols fame) has done a superb job of capturing the band's heart and soul. The nifty production trick of adding acoustic guitars to augment and fill out the electric instruments is introduced from the get go and it is repeated throughout the record, making for an expansive and airy sound.

The religious themes and imagery crop up time and again also; “Archangel”, “Reap The Harvest”, “I Am Redeemed...” anyone reading these song titles should not be surprised at all by the lyrical content. It might be hard to swallow for some listeners- but, of course, those same listeners are probably happy to imbibe the cod-satanism of any number of other metal bands. I must confess, this includes me. I find the religious aspects of the record problematic and distracting. However, the quality of material such as “The Crown” shines through, though, so regardless your of your belief system you should be able to enjoy this.

It's my view that this is the best and most developed Wytch Hazel record yet; it conjures up a uniquely English atmosphere (once again the spectre of  Argus!) and is expertly played and delivered by a band of clear capability. All band members do a great job from the vocals (masterfully double tracked in places) to the melodic guitar playing to the rock solid rhythm section it is pretty much flawless. The songs are there, the production is there, the front cover is fantastic. There are so many plus points to the album that they outweigh any gripes one may have with the lyrical themes contained herein. It's an excellent record by a unique band- one that deserves to be given a try and heard by any fans of any of the bands mentioned or alluded to here.

“III Pentacost” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Wolftooth, "Valhalla"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 22/05/2020

Label: Ripple Music |

Cursed Tongue Records

“Valhalla” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Intro – The Lamentation of Frigg
2. The Possession
3. Firebreather
4. Valhalla
5. Fear for Eternity
6. Scylla & Charybdis
7. Molon Labe
8. Crying of the Wolves
9. The Coven
10. Juneau

The Review:

Wolftooth's sophomore release arrives at a fortuitous time. I've been savouring their debut since I reviewed it back in 2018 and I have craved more of this metal mixed with stoner mixed with tales of fantasy and heroism. “Valhalla” thus arrives right on time- two years after the debut and hopefully hints at an Overkill-esque work ethic in years to come.

The debut essentially took what was great about The Sword's first three records and distilled it. “Valhalla” is NOT the sound of Wolftooth abandoning their fan base and making a more mature record. In fact, though the arrangements of “The Possession” are undoubtedly more complex with layered guitars and vocals, the identity of the band remains firmly intact. The atmopsheric intro of “The Lamentation of Frigg” sets us up nicely for a delightful metal album which mixes a lot of the best of trad, stoner and a little doom.

The sound is once again tight and organic- wonderful tom sound- with a burly mix. It's not as aggressive as, say, High on Fire, or even The Sword's early work but it grooves well and there are great riffs and choruses played by a solid band in all aspects. As Wolftooth hail from the same state that gave us the mighty The Gates of Slumber, Apostle of Solitude, Thorr Axe and Throne of Iron, it might be reasonable to expect more of a doom flavour to the songs here, but if anything this is closer to traditional metal than even the debut. There is almost a hard rock vibe to the likes of “Firebreather” and even the title track even of the subject matter and component parts are totally metal.

It interests me to note the fairly uniform song lengths- 4-5mins- and also that despite this the material is not formulaic. There are stylistic traits throughout, such as the aforementioned  layered vocals of the choruses, but it's not boring. Quite the opposite. It's an album to play all the way through. There are some really heavy tracks here, too; “Fear For Eternity” is pure sword and sorcery in Conan style wrought in metal. Each song offers up light and shade, whether it be “Molon Labe” or the pretty catchy “Scylla & Charybdis”.

As the album reaches the closing stages, “Crying of the Wolves” offers up a track close to Dio-era Sabbath (yes!) and rocks hard down the back stretch. “The Coven” offers up a late album highlight with its absolutely hard-as-iron riffing and melodies. “Juneau” finishes the album strongly with... more of the same; fuzzed bass, heavy riffs, reedy/Ozzy-esque vocals and some big slabs of groove.

If the debut made many metallers take notice, this should push the band over the top and hopefully bring them over to the likes of Desertfest, Damnation Festival in the UK and Keep It True and Courts of Chaos etc on the continent. This is for fans of any of the bands mentioned in this review. It's heavy, it's metal and it's quite superb.

“Valhalla” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Absolva, "Side By Side"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/04/2020

Label: Rocksector Records

“Side By Side” CD//DD track listing:

1. Advocate Your Fate
2. Burning Star
3. The Sky's Your Limit
4. Side By Side
5. Living A Lie
6. Legion
7. Eternal Soul
8. End Of Days
9. Heart Let's Go
10. From This World
11. 2 Minutes To Midnight (BONUS TRACK)
12. Heaven & Hell (BONUS TRACK)

The Review:

Absolva are a British metal band that combine a good dose of melody with the finest steel. They are a modern day heavy metal band- think Priest, Accept, Maiden, Saxon.... and then bring it up to 2020 via bands like Alter Bridge. If 2017's “Defiance” was a weighty affair, then “Side By Side” is a little slicker. Opener “Advocate Your Fate” is anthemic and driving in equal measure, “Burning Star” pulls the same trick at a faster tempo.

Similarly, the title track is a catchy melodic beast with some power to it as well. The likes of “Living a Lie” and “Legion” offer up a little more metal and a little less hard rock. The performances are excellent throughout, with Karl Schram and Martin McNee forming a lock tight rhythm section for Chris Appleton to weave some magical and soaring guitar work over, ably assisted by Iced Earth member and brother Luke Appleton.

The Maiden influence comes in strong on “Eternal Soul” with some incendiary instrumental sections. You can clearly see that Absolva wear their influences on their sleeve (after all, three of them are Blaze Bayley's backing band) but are also forging forward with a hybrid of hard rock and heavy metal. “End of Days” is a very strong and catchy track down the back stretch with a  triplet time feel making it stand out.

“Heart Lets Go” is a serviceable album track, but not up to the strength of “From This World” which closes out the album. With ethereal acoustic work and a well delivered vocal, it's a very strong way to finish the record. As a bonus, the band have also covered “Two Minutes to Midnight” and “Heaven and Hell”. It's a bold move, being as both songs are absolute classics of the genre. The Maiden cover is the pick of the two, as “Heaven and Hell” has the tempo picked up just a tad which alters the dynamic of the track a little. That said, that's two strong bonus tracks for the fans so no complaints.

Where “Side By Side” will sit in Absolva's canon, I am not yet sure. It's certainly better than “Flames of Justice” and “Never A Good Day To Die” and I think stronger- but less heavy- than “Anthems To The Dead”. It's perhaps more finely crafted than “Defiance”, but with less adrenaline fuelled material. Time will tell where it sits, but one thing's for sure this is a release of the finest quality with a bright and live sounding production being the icing on an impressive cake. It's great to hear a young British metal band that can compete with the old guard and the Americans. A strong album. 

“Side by Side” is available HERE

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Haunt, "Mind Freeze"

By: Andrew Davie

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 06/01/2020
Label: Shadow Kingdom Records

“Mind Freeze” CS//CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. ‘Light The Beacon’

2. ‘Hearts On Fire’

3. ‘Mind Freeze’

4. ‘Divide And Conquer’

5. ‘Saviors Of Man’

6. ‘Fight Or Flight’

7. ‘Have No Fear’

8. ‘On The Stage’

9. ‘Voyager’

The Review:

Haunt began in 2017 as a solo project of musician Trevor Church. Initially, Church played guitar, drums, bass, recorded, and distributed Haunt’s debut EP “Luminous Eyes”. However, it’s grown into a full-fledged band with a lineup that includes Church on guitar and vocals, John Tucker on guitar, Taylor Hollman on bass, and Daniel “Wolfy” Wilson on drums. Haunt’s latest album, “Mind Freeze”, is distributed by Shadow Kingdom Records. 

Church, a multi-instrumentalist, is no stranger to metal. He played bass for the band Inside the Sun, drums for Worship of Keres, and sang for Wolf Ghost. Aside from fronting Haunt, he currently plays bass for Hysteria and doubles as the guitarist and vocalist for Beastmaker. Similarly, he records and distributes music under his own banner Church Recordings. Prolific in his output, Church put out 4 EP’s with Beastmaker, and 1 LP with Haunt in 2018. Haunt has also put out 2 EP’s and 3 LP’s since its inception.

While many of Church’s other bands have more of a doom vibe, Haunt has more NWOBHM influences, and would fit in nicely on a bill that included early Iron Maiden, and 80s era Judas Priest. 

The musicianship is stellar which results in tremendous guitar harmonies between Church and Tucker. Tracks like “Light the Beacon” and “Have No Fear” are melodic throwbacks which include aspects of prog rock such as great use of synth accompaniments. Other tracks like “Mind Freeze” and “Divide and Conquer” hit you at breakneck speed. The arrangements are complex and result in multiple time signature changes which gives the band plenty of chances to demonstrate their musical chops. Haunt has picked up the torch for thrash and run with it. The album uses all the building blocks to construct an excellent installment in the genre. If you are a fan of early thrash, this album is for you. 

“Mind Freeze” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Angel Witch, "Angel of Light"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: Metal Blade Records

Label: 01/11/2019

“Angel of Light” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Don’t Turn Your Back
2. Death from Andromeda
3. We Are Damned
4. The Night Is Calling
5. Condemned
6. Window of Despair
7. I Am Infinity
8. Angel of Light

The Review:

Angel Witch are probably THE band that most will think of when it comes to NWOBHM bands that are not Maiden, Saxon or Leppard- with the possible exception of Diamond Head, of course. Their debut from four decades ago still crackles with arcane power and Kevin Heybourne remains something of a voice archetype for many trad doom bands. Their reactivation in 2012 with “As Above... So Below” was good- if a little meandering at points.

With “Angel of Light”, the band have delivered a strong and competent set of songs rooted in the early 80's Brit metal scene and with a warm and live production feel that suits the music down to a tee. Not for Angel Witch the pro-tools, triggers and processing of many modern metal releases. This sounds like a band playing their tracks in a large live room with a wooden floor and is all the better for it.

Opener “Don't Turn Your Back” is sprightly and hooky with plenty of punch and speed. “Death From Andromeda” takes a sci-fi turn and is a galloping riff fest- if a little overlong. It is perhaps a small criticism which could be levelled at much of the album; the songs are a little long, but then again, after seven years Heybourne and cohorts must have had a lot they wanted to lay down. It's not like Maiden are known for conciseness theses days and as for Leppard, well...

Elsewhere, the charming aspects of the band's debut are present; Heybourne's excellent wail, the sharp guitar work and weighty riffage. In fact, this record very much picks up where the debut or “As Above...” left off. It is especially pleasing that the rather doomy atmosphere of the debut is resurrected here. “We Are Damned” and “The Night is Calling” are very much cousins to Witchfinder General and myriad other doom inflected bands that came after- and the latter has a really nice riff and solo passage down the back stretch.

“Condemned” and “Window of Despair” pick up the metal pace with direct riffs and structures that will get your head banging, while maintaining that mournful vibe beloved by fans. “I am Infamy” is another rager with a nifty faded in intro. The title track just caps off this confident and expertly played comeback in style.

Thirty nine years on from the debut, Kevin Heybourne has proved he still has something to say musically and has delivered a very worthwhile fifth Angel Witch album. There is no place for disgrace here and this is better than “As Above...” which was in itself a solid and emphatic comeback. The songs may be a little overwrought in places and the band's sound as a whole may be an acquired taste, but for anyone who has ever chanted along to that chorus on the debut, drunk or otherwise, this is a rare and convincing treat. I hope they don't leave it so long next time, as it is clear that there is more music to come that deserves and needs to be heard.

“Angel of Light” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: The Lord Weird Slough Feg, "New Organon"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 21/06/2019

Label: Cruz Del Sur Music

“Stylistically, it all hangs together superbly and delivers a complete album listening experience.”

“New Organon” CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Headhunter
2. Discourse on Equality
3. The Apology
4. Being and Nothingness
5. New Organon
6. Sword of Machiavelli
7. Uncanny
8. Coming of Age in the Milky Way
9. Exegesis/Tragic Hooligan
10. The Cynic

The Review:

Slough Feg, or The Lord Weird Slough Feg- to give them the moniker they have now reverted to, are a unique proposition and as such are an acquired taste. We are five years on from their last album, “Digital Resistance”, but in terms of sound and approach, we may as well still be in 1976. This is clear and live sounding and traditionalist in approach.

TLWSF continue ploughing their singular furrow here; yes of course there is Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, Sabbath and Wishbone Ash... just pick any track and you will hear all those bands and more. Take the third track, “The Apology”; perfect in its pomp and heaviness. Philosophical references abound throughout; from the title to most tracks- considering frontman’s Scalzi's day job it's not surprising...

There are bursts of pace which bring in heavier and (slightly) more modern fare; Iron Maiden spring to mind on “Being and Nothingness”. The clear influences are one thing, but the overall quality and assuredness with which the band deliver the record is another. Slough Feg are a unique band and are traditional metal, heavy rock, folk-rooted and eccentricity all rolled into one. The title track marks the half way point and by that time you will either be sold on this album or you will not. If you enjoy any of the bands mentioned, plus bands like Wytch Hazel from the modern canon, then you will find something to enjoy here.

Stylistically, it all hangs together superbly and delivers a complete album listening experience. It's hard to pick stand out cuts- that's either positive or negative, depending on your approach, but it could be said that there are a couple of perhaps weaker tracks (“Sword of Machiavelli” is one for me) even if that is then made up for with the storming “Uncanny”.

Across its concise and one-side-of-a-cassette playing time, the band lean on philosophy, olde worlde references both musical and lyrical and a steadfast dedication to all things heavy circa 1970-1980. This may well be too quaint or even trite for some, but The Lord Weird Slough Feg are a heavy music gem and operating in a  field of one- both in America and elsewhere. That's worth something and they are to be cherished and enjoyed while they are still around.

Much like Manilla Road, they are perhaps a strange and cult-like band, but their music speaks to their fans profoundly. With Mark Shelton of Manilla Road now gone from this earth for over a year, I feel it is important to enjoy and appreciate such bands whilst they are here. Slough Feg won't be here forever- none of us are- so if you weren't sure about trying them out, this could be a great place to start. As “The Cynic” closes the album out, you'll be glad that you did.

“New Organon” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook