There must be something about the thin air, and gloom of Seattle, WA that has given birth to some fantastic modern melodic NWOHM bands. Serpent Rider is one of those bands and hearing them for the first time rekindled my love of NWOTHM (New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal) bands. For a while there, I found myself somewhat bored with the bands that seemed to either deliver each album with disappointment or bands that would take years off, return with a subpar album, and then disappear again. It’s hard to keep my attention that way but Serpent Rider grabbed my attention immediately.
Tag Archives: trad metal album reviews
ALBUM REVIEW: Possessed Steel – Aedris
While Toronto’s Possessed Steel approached Epic Metal with a rough attitude on the EPs they released in 2014 and 2017, their first proper full-length is much classier in comparison. The style is as grandiose as ever, but a greater emphasis on intricate guitar harmonies and polished production gives Aedris (Temple Of Mystery Records) more in common with a band like Wytch Hazel than Atlantean Kodex. Further comparisons could also be made to The Lord Weird Slough Feg and Hammers Of Misfortune with the free-flowing structures and pastoral air throughout.
ALBUM REVIEW: Wytch Hazel – III: Pentecost
With Wytch Hazel having established their style right from their 2011 formation, each of their releases has mostly been a matter of fine-tuning and making tweaks to their Hard Rock vision. The band’s third full-length album is no exception as it delivers its signature blend of Celtic melodies and spiritual lyrics with brazen positivity. Past efforts have been enjoyable in their own right but III: Pentecost (Bad Omen Records) may be the strongest execution of the formula so far. Continue reading