Continuing on my path of demos that have completely impressed me, we come to Phantasmal.
Phantasmal are a black heavy metal band from the USA. The term "black heavy metal" is too perfect of a fit as there music strikes me as a combo of early Manowar and Venom with some thrash elements thrown in. Really, the members might as well have walked up to me and said, "Hey, what elements of metal music should we combine together to make you happy?" This is a pretty much perfect release with the exception of it being too short in my opinion.
The demo starts with "The Reaper's Forge" just a straight up rocking mid paced number. Things thrash up here and there but its more of a power/thrash feeling. But its hard to make this style of metal really rock out and that's what Phantasmal does while still remaining true to the 1st wave bm influences as well. "The Eternal Campaign" is next and you can feel warriors sharpening axes and swords, readying shields and ballista, and trying each other to make sure they are ready to fight for all time! I head banged so hard through this one that I thought I was going to break my neck. I couldn't stop! I was compelled by Metal! The next track, "Queen Nightshade", is also a mid paced burner that brings on the head banging. It also contains some great lead work and melodies. Its the longest song clocking in at just over five minutes adding to the epic factor.
I really can't compliment this demo enough! Someone needs to sign these guys! If i had money I would do it, but alas, I do not... Right now this demo is name your price at band camp but give them a few bucks. Apparently they are releasing this in cassette format soon, so if you don't pay for the download pick that up when it comes out! Seriously support this fantastic heavy metal band!!
https://www.facebook.com/phantasmalmetal/timeline
https://phantasmalmetal.bandcamp.com/releases
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Wreodan Healh- Laecig
I have returned!!
So these next couple of posts will be dedicated to new bands that I think deserve some more recognition. They are bands that have released maybe a demo and I feel are fantastic and I don't see get talked about a lot.
Wreodan Healh is a black metal band from the UK. They are actually not a new band. Wreodan Healh started in 2004 and then disbanded in 2006 never releasing anything to my knowledge. They reformed seven years later and here we are sitting on the first demo release.
Laecig is the band's first demo material and was released in 2014. It consists of three tracks of atmospheric black metal. I tend to hate this style. Its usually not very riffed based and really has very little metal in it.
Laecig is immediately different. It summons an older time in black metal. It is dark and at the same time epic. It resonates with what made the northern 2nd wave of black metal interesting. It does not rely on crappy trebly arpeggios, shitty shrieked vocals or "post- rock" parts. It is a revelation unto itself.
The demo is three tracks starting with "Shadowreathed" an intro that breeds ambiance by throwing in sounds of battle and a fairly excellent sample. Next is "Kingdom of Ancient Sorrow". This is the most epic track on the demo with a magnificent melody that carries the listener through ancient times to battles in ice and snow. "Towers Over Desolate Realms", the closer, is just that. It has everything a good end song should for this kind of record. It has razor sharp riffing, great epic melody lines and the vocals scream out of the forested atmosphere.
An excellent demo back to front. These guys are finishing up their first full length and I am eagerly awaiting it as any fan of 2nd wave bm should be. They put this demo up for free on their band camp but you should really get in touch and procure a cassette.
https://www.facebook.com/wreodanhealh?fref=ts
https://wreodanhealh.bandcamp.com/releases
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