Nearly ten years into their career return, Swedish metallers Sorcerer have proven to be a somewhat underappreciated but certainly formidable presence. Perhaps it is down to their sound which sits on the boundaries of traditional and Doom Metal which has hardly been flavour of the month in recent years. It is a timeless and reliable sound however which has seen them with some strong and sturdy releases since their 2015 return. Therefore, things were hardly likely to dramatically shift with a new album; but if Reign Of The Reaper (Metal Blade Records) does anything, it further cements their status.
As the rousing opening bars of “Morning Star” set the tone, it becomes abundantly clear that this is (welcoming) familiar ground; as the mix of towering vocals sit with a slower, doomier pace which feels more triumphant than bleak with a sense of theatre to match. This is a glorious and memorable opening.
Reign Of The Reaper throughout matches more straight to the point musicality with some sense of theatrics and ambience (such as in the opening spoken word passages of the title track) but certainly never goes overwhelmingly in the former’s direction and is raucous fun as a result. Anders Engberg gives a commanding vocal performance which, whilst not too different to many like-minded bands, perfectly suits and delivers here.
As the opening brace of songs give a slower, comparatively ominous pace, the likes of “Thy Kingdom Will Come” are soaring Heavy Metal with hugely melodic guitar passages leading the way. What continues is a very recognisable affair which never sets to reinvent. The closing “Break Of Dawn” being the closest to deviation in their sound as it begins in familiar, stirring fashion, almost sitting in ballad territory before its closing piano led delicate notes.
By now it is likely that readers will have made their decision as to whether Sorcerer’s sound is for them or otherwise, and whilst Reign Of The Reaper is not going to drastically change any minds, that is not what it or the band are seeking to do. What it does is deliver a stellar addition to a timeless sound and genre. Sorcerer will likely continue under the radar for many people, but those in the know will surely not be disappointed.
Buy the album here:
https://www.metalblade.com/sorcerer/
7 / 10
CHRIS TIPPELL