Review Summary: A melodic death metal masterclass… on debut
Debut albums are a bit of a phenomenon. They are the unprecedented introductions of a band to the world, but also the culmination of a lifetime’s artistic inspirations to that point in time. They represent the best ideas dreamed of to that juncture and are often the truest reflection of that person or group’s background and interests. With this in mind, I find a lot of debut albums the most interesting and innovative of a band’s discography.
After an initial EP a decade ago, melodic death metal band Idolatrous out of Portland, Oregon clearly have been working hard at their full-length debut for their formative epoch because it is a bit of a phenomenon. Phenomenal even. It starts typically enough with a long cinematic piece that would probably fit better as a show opener than an album opener due to its length, but suitably sets the tone for this slab of blackened folk melodic death metal.
The bang into “Predecessor” could be louder but that’s an easy fix - turn it up. We’re met with a full and thick series of riffs and underlying double kick that forges a path forward against a heavy upstream current. The vocals are deep and menacing and ask “please accept my sacrifice” in introducing their lyrical content centring on folk tales of gods, battles and revenge before a fittingly epic conclusion.
“The Harrowing Reprisal” opens with a crushing riff and the lead guitar staggered before it sits back with the rhythm guitar and rumbling bass in the ensuing passages. Turned up, this mix reveals the power of the music and involves many interesting riffs and segues between riffs. The video for the next song “Eternal” was the spark to get me to explore this album. The intro to the song completely sucks you in and as a metal fan, it gets the head bobbing instinctively. The main riff morphs into more and more complex riffs and with an orchestral background, creates a dynamic and compelling song. This is a multi-part anthem with a breakdown, blast beats and is simply stacked melodic death metal.
One of the reasons this album keeps finding its way back onto my headphones and speakers is the quality of its execution. It is a commandingly tight performance by all players which collectively is greater than the sum of its parts. The guitars consistently provide interesting passages that have a folky undertone. The main reference point I can give is the mid-era Amon Amarth albums “Versus the World”, “Fate of Norns” and “With Oden on our Side”. If you dig those pagan melodeath epics, check Sorrow on Midgard.
By the time we get to “The Wolf’s Ghost”, it’s clear this debut is something special. After scouring melodic death metal releases for a long time and especially the last 2 to 3 years, I can safely nod to this as a peak release. Virtually completely unknown is an injustice to the band. Song to song there’s no filler but the run time could be trimmed by the exclusion of one song but that’s it. In saying that, the exclusion of any songs would only serve to rob the album of a good tune. Another pertinent reference point is to “Hollow Decay” whose own debut “The Frozen Decay” is also virtually unknown. But I must admit this is a different beast.
Viking themed “Asgard” continues the exceptional riffs and guitar playing ably held up by some synths for added atmosphere. This recipe is repeated for “Returning to War” just with its own personality and identity. “Prophecy” speaks of ancient deities and asks “if I am of the gods why do I wear these chains”. The folklore themes are well worked into the metal instrumentation as is the occasional piano, clean vocals and strings. It adds variety and atmosphere to give a full scope of artistic elements in this style of music.
The title track has riffs kindred to “Eternal” with tempos that alternately breathe and suffocate followed by strings that forebode a sense of conclusion. The sense of conclusion is angrily rebuffed by the closer “The Smoke Settles” which whips up another set of flowing riffs just for good measure. This power is pushed through to cap a full-length debut worthy of any band in the history of this style of music.
