Review Summary: Spell’s third album isn’t exactly their most accessible album but arguably one of their most interesting
Spell always presents their brand of traditional metal with an especially glossy edge, but each of their albums goes about it differently. Their third full-length echoes the atmospheric approach on 2016’s For None and All but pairs that vibe with influences beyond the genre. The incorporation of post-punk elements on Opulent Decay makes for easy comparisons to the likes of In Solitude and Idle Hands, but I also find myself reminded of 80s Rush circa Grace Under Pressure.
The album also benefits from the improved production values that were introduced with 2018’s The Full Moon Sessions. The mix is executed with the usual reverb-heavy glee, which cloaks the performances in a mysterious aura while still allowing for active playing. From there, the guitars put in plenty of shiny harmonies amidst the ethereal synth washes, and the bass proves to be a strong anchor. On the flip side, the vocals still have a somewhat amateurish air at times, and the drums can sound rather mechanical, but they suit the niche approach.
Some of that abstract flavor also shows up in the songwriting as the tracks range from upbeat strides to mid-tempo pondering. The drive on the opening “Psychic Death” is as straightforward as you can get on here, but the title track has an almost stadium metal bent. The album’s most interesting tracks come at the middle as “The Iron Wind” pulls off a mix of proggy rhythms and ominous chanting that gets followed up on “Ataraxia,” “Dawn Wanderer” lives up to the bright mood hinted at on “Primrose Path,” and “Deceiver” offers an overall ghostly flavor between its acoustic beginning and surging verses.
Overall, Spell’s third album isn’t exactly their most accessible album but arguably one of their most interesting. The band dynamic is most certainly an acquired taste, and I find myself wishing the hooks were more potent, but the cybernetic yet dreamlike aura is rather intriguing once you get a feel for it. Bands combining traditional metal with non-metal influences seem to be getting more common lately, but there’s not too much out there that sounds like Opulent Decay. I can’t imagine this being a major game-changer but rather an album that gets better with repeat listens.
Highlights:
“The Iron Wind”
“Dawn Wanderer”
“Deceiver”
Originally published at Indy Metal Vault
