Review Summary: Keeping the Jolly Roger high
By now, it's pretty obvious that Blazon Stone's mastermind, Ced, is no scallywag when it comes to reproducing that characteristic '90s Running Wild sound. Each of the band's previous five releases featured more or less the same sweet grog recipe. For those who aren't familiar with the Swedish outfit, or Running Wild, on the band's sixth LP, you will enjoy some fine pirate-themed power metal with a great sense of melody, frequent use of gang vocals, and huge choruses that are as infectious as STD's after cracking Jenny's teacup. The absolute highlight on here is the high level of energy, combined with some amazing guitar leads. One thing that is worth mentioning as well, is that this is the first Blazon Stone album with a full line-up rather than having Ced playing all the instruments and employing a singer. In practice, this hasn't changed much, apart from providing Ced with the necessary enthusiasm to record again, after being on the verge of striking the colors a couple of years ago.
Throughout the album, the level of songwriting and execution remains pretty much the same, and all songs are around 4-5 minutes long, with the exception of the closer which is the longest track in the band's discography; a 9:42 epic that is solid but a bit unspectacular. Naturally, the LP strikes high in the nostalgia scale and low on originality, however, if we compare it with other modern power metal records, or even Running Wild's modern output, then
Damnation can easily hold its own. All in all, this is a great opportunity for all you old salts to reminisce and enjoy some rum... unless you prefer to walk the plank.
