ALBUM REVIEW: Visigoth - "Conqueror's Oath"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 09/02/2018
Label: Metal Blade Records

Eight tracks, all absolute killers. Superb production, fantastic playing and performances all around. With “The Revenant King”, Visigoth delivered my favourite album of 2015. With “Conqueror's Oath” they have achieved heavy metal perfection.  . The best heavy metal album of 2018? Count on it.

“Conqueror's Oath” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Steel and Silver
2. Warrior Queen
3. Outlive Them All
4. Hammerforged
5. Traitor’s Gate
6. Salt City
7. Blades in the Night
8. The Conqueror’s Oath

The Review:

Salt Lake City's most metal export return here with a blazing follow up to their mighty opus “The Revenant King” of 2015. As I noted in that review: this is heavy metal. Proper heavy metal. Think of the sounds of Priest having a sword fight with Maiden while Grand Magus referees. In fact, words cannot express the utter heavy-metalness of it all. The band has delivered everything I hoped for with this sophomore full length. The galloping and majestic rhythms, the soaring lead breaks, the powerful and dramatic vocals- all are contained within the opening “Steel and Silver” and the album does not let up from there. It pleases me that there are still bands out there like this; bands that keep to the old gods. Bands that rejoice in the defeat of their enemies and laugh at the four winds from their mountain.

It is not often that there is nothing to fault, but I can't find anything here that is not just right. The mix and production is confident and muscular with every instrument clearly audible. Jake Rogers' vocals are even more self assured than on the debut and he delivers a master class here- a powerful singer in a fairly low register, his voice is perfect for this. The songs clip by at such a rate that the album is a focused and vicious raiding party even after repeated listens. “Warrior Queen” is catchy and joyful, propelled along by a very tight rhythm section and duelling guitars. It is five and a half minutes of heavy metal heaven- or should that be Valhalla?!

The band press the pedal to the metal with more regularity on this album; there were elements of doom to be found on “TRK”, but that has been superseded by the likes of the Highlander-themed “Outlive Them All” which is fast and furious, whilst being full of hooks. Naturally, the band are not flat out all of the time and there is plenty of room for acoustic elements, vocal harmonies and swinging grooves through “Hammerforged”. It also has a fantastic central refrain of the mightiest riffage.

“Traitor's Gate” acts as a centrepiece for the record as Rogers invokes the spirit of Ronnie Dio in the melodrama and gravitas of his performance. It builds up slowly, but when it rolls in, triplets blazing, once again metal nirvana is reached. The whole band are playing out of their skins on this one; it's superb with all essential metallic elements present and correct.

The band's tribute to their home town follows- “Salt City” is pure heavy metal rock and roll, expertly delivered and anthemic in the extreme. It provides a burst of carefree enthusiasm with not a revenge plot in sight. There is also great lead playing, as there is throughout the album. “Blades in the Night” follows, with feet pressed to the floor and swords fully unsheathed. Again, it's hooky and powerful in equal measure.

The title track closes this remarkable album in majestic style. It is another slow burning epic with excellent two guitar work and themes that will make your battle jacket be filled with pride. Eight tracks, all absolute killers. Superb production, fantastic playing and performances all around. With “The Revenant King”, Visigoth delivered my favourite album of 2015. With “Conqueror's Oath” they have achieved heavy metal perfection. I have all but run out of superlatives to describe this fantastic record. Iron Maiden are on their way to retirement, Priest are readying themselves for  perhaps just one more foray, Manowar are bowing out and the world is just not as receptive to songs about valour and glory any more. Visigoth, though, keep the flame alive and burning brightly, ready to forge sounds of the purest steel- hopefully for years to come. The best heavy metal album of 2018? Count on it.

“Conqueror’s Oath” is available here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Manilla Road - "To Kill A King"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 30/06/2017

Label: Golden Core Records (ZYX)

In summary, To Kill A King is a superb and epic metal album, forged from the finest steel.

“To Kill A King” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. To Kill A King
2. Conqueror
3. Never Again
4. The Arena
5. In the Wake
6. The Talisman
7. The Other Side
8. Castle of the Devil
9. Ghost Warriors
10. Blood Island
11. The Books of Skelos Pt. 1 (The Book of Ancients)*

The Review:

Incredibly, this is the first time this legendary band has been featured on THE SLUDGELORD, but their influence on the metal underground- trad/doom/thrash, even prog- is so great that this album simply had to be reviewed. I wanted to review this when it was released earlier in the year, but finances were tight and no promo copy made its way to SLUDGELORD HQ, so I had to wait until I had the funds to buy it. I am glad I did, as for the last week; this has been in constant rotation.

Manilla Road have been putting out records since 1979(!), barring a break for much of the 90's, and each one has been different from the last. From the trad metal of “Crystal Logic” and “Open The Gates” to the chaotic and progressive “The Deluge” to the thrashier material of “Mystification” through to the mix of metal genres that has permeated everything from “Atlantis Rising” onwards, Manilla Road are a unique band. With Mark Shelton still at the helm, Bryan Patrick's perfectly matched vocals, Neudi- a German drummer with unusual and capable technique- and Phil Ross holding down the low end, the band are tight and very focused.

Honestly, I came to the band late- I first heard “Crystal Logic” after hearing the cover of “Necropolis” by Visigoth- and then went through a few of the key albums before buying “The Blessed Curse” back in 2015. I rate that very highly indeed- I love the drum sound, love the writing, the playing and the themes. A fantastic album on every level. It was with high hopes, then, that I pressed play on “To Kill A King”.

The title track is first up and it is an epic. The sound is not dissimilar to “The Blessed Curse”- a huge bonus for me as I love the production on that one. It seems that some fans complain about Manilla Road's productions, but not me. I like albums to sound different from one another and to have quirks; it makes the music come alive a lot more. The tom sound is particularly excellent- it has real tone and depth to it. The snare is tight (maybe a piccolo?) and the cymbals are very bright and clear. The guitar has the usual distinctive Shelton tone and the bass has warmth and depth. As per recent releases, the vocals are reverb drenched and almost laid back in delivery. With Hamlet re-told in the title track the ten minute playing time flies by- lots of guitar workouts, several different sections and a few interesting production approaches (overlay of acoustic in the verses, for instance).

“Conqueror” blasts out of the speakers with a killer riff and some shredding leads early on and makes for a very direct second track. Good time changes, too. The much more melancholy “Never Again” is a great change of pace and a fine rumination on the nuclear threat. I really like this track and find it extremely catchy as well as being oddly relaxing- despite the unsettling subject matter.

“The Arena” finds the guitars mixed front and centre as bass drums roll and the none-more-metal subject matter of gladiatorial combat is brought to life through the music. This is rousing stuff and features some great harsh vocals to go with the more operatic delivery through the verses. Once again, the lead work is superb and the band is really firing on all cylinders. By the time of “In The Wake”, the pattern of the album becomes clear- the band have made a very dynamic record; epic songs, all out metal assaults, more mellow and introspective material and some serious hooks. “In The Wake” certainly features the latter and represents the more commercial side of Manilla Road; strong riffs, catchy vocals and mid tempo pacing. It is also rather melancholic as per “Never Again”.

“The Talisman” represents one of the album high points and offers up an excellent main riff and a very focused vocal performance- a fantastic track. The band take things down a few notches for the intro of “The Other Side”, but then switch to a strong central refrain and a great vocal from Bryan Patrick (please excuse me if I have confused him with Mark Shelton, but I think this is right) with evocative lyrics about visions of doom and manifest destiny this would not be out of place on any classic Sabbath album.

The final three tracks are balls to the wall heavy metal. “Castle Of The Devil” has great rhythmical riffing and the bass pulls the track along superbly. As ever, you are never too far from a lead break and they are all expertly delivered. Time changes also abound, just for good measure. “Ghost Warriors” has a surprisingly catchy vocal line and the central riffs are just as memorable. The historical theme is delivered with the universal message of how glorious it can be to fight against tyranny and stand up for yourself.

By the time “Blood Island” roars out of the open gate the album is close to an hour long. Truthfully, it does not feel like it to me- it just feels like an immersive listen with no one track like another. The alternating heavy track/mellow track dynamic is dispensed with in the record's final stretch, but this is fine with me- the band finish strong and go for the throat down the home straight.

Honestly, I thought was going to like this album as soon as I saw the Paulo Girardi artwork- but it has been great to hear it and really get into it. I think Manilla Road are in something of a purple patch of their career here; “The Blessed Curse” and the “Hellwel” records are great and I also really liked “Mysterium” as a straightforward metal album. In summary, To Kill A King is a superb and epic metal album, forged from the finest steel.

“To Kill A King” is available here

Band info: official || facebook

Visigoth - The Revenant King (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 27/01/2015

Label: Metal Blade Records

‘The Revenant King’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. The Revenant King
2. Dungeon Master
3. Mammoth Rider
4. Blood Sacrifice
5. Iron Brotherhood
6. Necropolis
7. Vengeance
8. Creature of Desire
9. From the Arcane Mists of Prophecy

Visigoth is:

Jake Rogers | vocals
Jamison Palmer | guitar
Leeland Campana | guitar
Matt Brotherton | bass
Mikey Tee | drums

Review:

Visigoth is an American trad-metal band and have unleashed this opus on Metal Blade. The art work is superb- old school and Cirith Ungol or even The Gates of Slumber-esque. In fact, the cover really sums up what you are getting here. This is sword and sorcery, warriors and wizards, keepers and keys, man and war... you get the idea. Musically, then, this is somewhere between Iron Maiden, Grand Magus, Manowar and 3 inches of Blood. The opening title track is an 8 minute gallop through trad-metal territory. The riffs come thick and fast and fleet of foot. ‘Dungeon Master’ follows this with vocals lower in pitch than Dickinson but no less grandiose. This being an American band, dare I suggest that they actually take this (too) seriously?!

Maybe there is a playfulness lurking here- but for the most part these tales of dungeons (if not quite dragons) seem deadly serious in delivery. Iron Maiden have always had a slightly raised eyebrow when it comes to epic songs and monsters wandering around the stage, while still performing with absolute conviction, while Manowar  have never been less than adamantly straight faced (even in the face of ridicule and contempt). There is nothing wrong with either approach, necessarily- you have to say or play it like you mean it either way and all bands mentioned so far most certainly do, including Visigoth. And why not? There are people out there that long for simpler times, when honour, victory and glory were the only worthwhile things to strive for. You know, when people had actual problems, before the only warriors you heard about fought for social justice (whatever that is) and dangerous foes were met in battle instead of non-dangerous soft targets were sniped at from behind a keyboard. Visigoth play with conviction and dexterity throughout. Hell, Manowar have made a thirty something career (and counting) out of hymns to battle and glory so if you accept the conviction that the songs are delivered with you will enjoy this.

‘Mammoth Rider’ continues the blueprint while ‘Blood Sacrifice’ is catchy and engaging in the extreme (it also contains the word “pentagram” Yes!). ‘Iron Brotherhood’ is ludicrous in all the right ways before ‘Necropoli’s delivers the kind of track you would expect from the title. ‘Vengeance’’s tale of wandering a desolate landscape following the destruction of one’s homestead and familial demise is pure Conan-esque revelry while ‘Creature of Desire’ delivers yet more riffs and leads, galloping on towards the final lengthy opus ‘From The Arcane Mists of Prophecy’ with its epic conclusion.

The instruments are superbly played, the vocals are grand and quasi-operatic and suit the music well. There are many great riffs here and lots of time changes, galloping rhythms and... well, heavy metal. For me, this does not quite reach the heights of Grand Magus and it doesn’t have the sinister vibe of a band like In Solitude (even if the cover might suggest otherwise) but what you get is unashamed heavy metal of the type once revered and then ridiculed in the 80’s going into the 90’s. Most bands don’t make records like this anymore, but then again, most bands suck. So: All hail Visigoth. Keepers of the true metal flame!

Words by: Richard Maw

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/visigothofficial | https://visigoth.bandcamp.com/