Review Summary: Swords and riffs: a match made in heaven (or hell).
Fantasy themes and hard rock have long been associated, as seen by songs like "The Wizard" by Black Sabbath and "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin, from the early days of the genre. After that, bands like Rainbow, Wishbone Ash, Queen, and Hawkwind carried the torch, and by the 1980s and 1990s, fantasy lyrics were being used often.
On their sophomore release, Worcester's High Command have created an outstanding piece of crossover thrash metal with sword and sorcery lyrics. It is clear that
Eclipse of the Dual Moons doesn't play around right from the bat; the furious guitar work and the raspy vocals combine to create an aggressive yet compelling offering. Nevertheless, and despite the name-dropping, this is neither a nostalgia act nor a gimmick; rather, it is a mashup of venerable '80s heavy metal acts like Slayer, Sepultura, Celtic Frost, and early Metallica. The groovy mid-tempo sections provide the required breathing room among the faster sections, and it is actually the masterful use of dynamics that sets it apart from other albums.
As cliché as it may sound, the sheer number of riffs on this album not only adds to its variety but also makes it more enjoyable to listen to again and again. With its gradual build-up, mid-paced rhythm, and sporadic violent riffs, "Imposing Hammers of Cold Sorcery" (song title of the year candidate) is an excellent example of how to combine all the aforementioned characteristics. "Fortified by Bloodshed," another standout track, demonstrates the group's traditional metal influences. With so many tools at their disposal, it's not surprising that High Command attempted and successfully completed a 12-minute epic; "Spire of Secartha" has Mercyful Fate-like twists and turns, while its outro reminded me of Metallica's "To Live is to Die."
Even if
Eclipse of the Dual Moons doesn't offer anything new, lovers of '80s Bay Area thrash metal should give it a try because of the band's skill with both songwriting and execution. The epic element, as always, elevates everything, and the 50-minute length makes it suitable for multiple listens.
