Sorry to spoil anyone’s fun but I'm really into "underground" bands at the minute like Hoardez and AlphaBluh but I feel they deserve some more publicity, hence this review.
This band is about 2 years old now and started somewhere in London (I think) playing to small groups around town. They're not actually as heavy as they may sound. This is their only album at the moment and so here we go...
The Members:
Roy Glorbson: Lead Vocals
Mitch Dalrey: Lead Guitar
Nigel Judis: Rhythm Guitar
Sam Quentin: Bass/Piano
Gary Leady: Drums
And forward to the Tracks:
1. Cringe (5.49): No not Death Metal but still heavy and powerful the main concept of the song is a blistering guitar riff accompanied by solid drumming and nice bass playing, however we soon learn that Roy is not a good vocalist his voice doesn't fit the sound to the rest of the track. But I am pleased that they have a super guitarist in Mitch his guitar provides the track with ear splitting solos and clever guitar tricks.
4/5
2. To Believe and Die (3.36): A simple guitar lick slides us into this airy track with Roy providing high pitched vocals. The drumming is simple as is the bass line with very little guitar work from Nigel or Mitch. The highlight of the track is the drum solo which sounds familiar to the intro to Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden. This track spoils the good intro to the album. 2.5/5
3. Relief (6.11): Raging guitars and thrashing drums grab you and tear you to pieces as Roy sings about pain and suffering. There is a fast tempo through the verses but loses pace at the chorus which is still noticeable for the nice background guitar work. This track makes you instantly forget its crappy predecessor and deserves credit for its awesome guitar solos nearing the end. 4.5/5
4. Made of Fire (4.15): Roy wails out the lyrics throughout this track which disguises some brilliant instrumental playing by the other members. If you listen closely at the end you can hear someone say "Roy, that was bulls.hite!" I have to agree. 3/5
5. The Remains (4.02): An instrumental based around some fantastic guitar playing by both Mitch and Nigel. Gary inserts some nice drum fills and there is even room for an impressive bass solo but because this track is instrumental it's quality is limited. 3.5/5
6. Fortress on a Hill (7.24): This song is clearly about a terrible battle long ago involving a castle. Roy is again rather irritating but he does think up some great lyrics which really set a scene inside my head. There is more good playing by the other members with several guitar solos which I think are maybe shared between Nigel and Mitch. 3.5/5
7. Such Glory (2.43): A fast paced cocktail of guitar FX and difficult drumming headed by the heavy bass with Roy’s' vocals drowning in the clash of instruments (yey!). There is not a great deal to say about this song other than praise for the drumming and neat little ending bit but nothing special here. 3/5
8. Power (3.17): Introduced by an acoustic guitar being played beautifully by Nigel (I think!). There is a really nice bassline complementing the guitar superbly and the drums are also suited well. At the 2 minute mark the acoustic guitar cuts out and is replaced by a magnificent electric guitar solo. Roy is limited to 2 verses so this track is mainly instrumental which is a good thing! 4/5
9. Dying for the Day (8.31): An epic track beginning with a piano and Roy singing (opposed to shouting) which is slightly less irritating. The other instruments are gradually introduced until we are left with dramatic riffing and some amazing guitar solos with the drums powering the track and the bass adding some good atmosphere. By the 7th minute all returns to the piano and vocals ad we are left admiring this song. 5/5
Thou Concusion:
This is a good album i only gave it 3.5/5 because of the poor vocals but you may have varied opinions so feel free to add them, but no old people- they freak me out.
