Review Summary: Sorcerer doesn’t need lofty runtimes to be epic as all hell
With Sorcerer’s last couple albums seemingly pushing their epic doom as far as it could go, it’s interesting to see their fourth installment come out leaner in comparison. Reign of the Reaper is the band’s shortest full-length at forty-seven minutes and incorporates power metal elements for a decidedly straightforward experience. Fortunately, any concerns about watering themselves down can be cast aside as Sorcerer has the knowhow to make the shifts play into their strengths as a group.
Right off the bat, the presentation is as grandiose as ever with the production and musicianship showing off their established extravagance. The guitars maintain a dark, fiery tone and the persisting layers of choirs, acoustics, and other flourishes are enough to indicate that nothing has been stripped away. The vocals show off even more prowess, building off the combination of clean hooks and supplementary rasps seen on 2020’s Lamenting of the Innocent for some extra engaging melodies, and the more driving structures result in more intricate drumming.
And even if the slow burns don’t go quite as slow this time around, the songwriting still offers much of the same catchy theatrics and infernal atmosphere. The opening “Morning Star” sets a strong precedent as its triumphant opening fanfare turns diabolical with the sinisterly pounding verses and sweeping chorus while “Thy Kingdom Will Come” puts forth an especially menacing trust. “Curse of Medusa” and “The Underworld” are where the dark power metal tinges really shine, each track boasting hefty drums and ominous yet uplifting choruses.
Overall, Reign of the Reaper splendidly proves that Sorcerer’s brand of power-doom doesn’t need lofty runtimes to be epic as all hell. Things haven’t changed too drastically between the crunchy riffs and melodic flair, but the emphasis on tighter pacing ensures a fresh outlook and plenty of memorable tracks. Maintaining such a consistent track record makes it tricky to determine the best Sorcerer album, but Reign of the Reaper just might be their most well-rounded.
