Tag Archives: Diamond Head

Sweat Lodge – Talismana

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Ye gods! Somebody in this band fucking loves a bit of Black Sabbath! Hawkwind and Deep Purple too I’d wager. Now, I’m not normally one for Stoner, Doom or Space Rock, but this album is quite charming, as it has a certain Southern (as in New Orleans, not New Cross) sensibility about it that stops it from descending into the sludgey pit of boredom that bands of those genres so often inhabit. Think of it as Corrosion of Conformity with Ozzy singing and Monster Magnet producing in the early 1970s. Then chuck a bit of Hawkwind at it and you’re done.

The problem with revival bands like this is that they can often struggle to find their own identities. I think Sweat Lodge‘s Talismana (Ripple) suffers a little from this tendancy, as it can often sound like a 70s rock compilation that’s been chopped up & stirred together. On the other hand, their love for that period is obvious and they clearly know their history (only 9 tracks!). The sounds, effects and hooks are all perfectly pitched and it’s frankly astonishing to hear something like this being recorded today. Impressive. So if you like your 70s rock & metal, you’ll love this. Also, if you like modern revival and mid-fi stuff like The Sword, Spiritual Beggars or Wolfmother it should likewise give you an earection.

The album opens with somewhat derivative but wonderfully named ‘Tramplifier’. Standout tracks are ‘Bed of Ashes’ (this could almost be Sabbath), ‘Phoenix Ascent’ (Deep Purpletastic and my favourite), ‘Heavy Head’ (great riffs, lots of layers, varied vocals, a spacey midsection and a cheeky tease of an ending) and ‘Banshee Call’ (a Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac intro that opens out into straight up Diamond Head – lovely).

Top job from a clearly talented and passionate band.

 

7.5/10

 

PHILIP PAGE


Enforcer – From Beyond

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Enforcer’s shtick was old before they had even recorded their first demo. But four albums into their career and they can pen a good ode to classic 80s metal. The Swedish four piece – Olof Wikstrand (Guitars & Vocals), Joseph Tholl (Guitars), Tobias Lindqvist (Bass), Jonas Wikstrand (Drums) –  probably know it’s not 1982 anymore (we hope…), but they don’t care.

It’s good, mindless fun, and that’s ok.

From the opening notes of ‘Destroyer’ you know what you’re going to get over the next 40-odd minutes; no pretence, no bullshit, just big riffs, melodic hooks, shout-along choruses and the urge to wear nothing but denim and leather. This is pure high octane 80’s metal from 2015.

You like galloping riffs? We got it. High-pitch wailing? You know it. Air-guitar inducing solos? Of course. Enforcer have done their research; Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Diamond Head, Saxon, plus numerous lesser known ‘cult’ acts; all your favourite NWOBHM influences are present and accounted for. It’s a meticulous copy of all the best bits of heavy metal’s classic years combined with a good ear for hooks. You could make a game out of identifying which riffs they’ve stolen from which band/album.

From Beyond (Nuclear Blast) has a default tempo of fast. The likes of ‘One with Fire,’ ‘Hell Will Follow’ and the opener all scream speed metal. ‘The Banshee’s simple but addictive chorus and twin lead guitars has future crowd pleaser written all over it, while ‘Below The Slumber’ and album closer ‘Mask of Red Death’ are both six-minute mini-epics; starting slow and quiet before bringing a plenitude of riffs and noise.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with From Beyond; if you liked any of their previous efforts (or indeed any other super retro act) they’ll be plenty to enjoy here, and if you have a craving for authentic sounding metal from three decades ago you’ll be more than pleased. But anyone chasing anything more than nostalgia will find nothing particularly to enthuse about.

 

7.0/10

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DAN SWINHOE


Sanctuary – The Year The Sun Died

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When you think of Seattle, the first things that usually come to your mind would be grunge, over priced coffee and a distinct feeling of melancholy which coincidentally has led to some of the best music ever to be produced, whether that be from The Melvins, Nirvana or Jimi Hendrix. Despite its rich musical history, you don’t expect Seattle to produce that many NWOBHM tinged thrash bands. After 25 years Sanctuary has returned with their new album The Year The Sun Died (Century Media) and in all honesty it might be worth the wait.

Despite the controversy surrounding frontman’s Warrel Dane’s decision to momentarily decommission progressive metal giants Nevermore to restart Sanctuary taking most of the press coverage around the release of this album, it would be foolish to not look at this album on its own merits. The Year The Sun Died is a sleekly produced modern trash album that packs one hell of a punch, in terms of its frenetic guitar leads and powerful drums that power the album forward like a charging rhino.

Warrel Dane recently informed fans worrying about his vocal ability that he could still nail the high notes from the bands previous albums and he has certainly proved his neigh-sayers wrong here.  Dane is on fine form with his powerful almost operatic NWOBHM vocals which draw the obvious parallels to them of Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford.

While its certainly more of an early days of thrash album than the heavier era or Exodus or Kreator, The Year The Sun Died certainly has its moments of thrash goodness, but overall the album is more Diamond Head than Slayer.

Overall, Sanctuary have hit a home run with their return album. The riffs are there as well as the one of the best production jobs you are likely to hear this year, the albums sounds like a razor sharp turbo charged Judas Priest and has the kind of bite that came from the Andy Sneap produced Megadeth albums.  It is real treat for fans of anthemic, polished melodic metal.

 

7.0/10

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DAN O’BRIEN