Thunder Rider - Tales of Darkness and Light - Chapter II (2002)

Canadian distinguished champions of underground metal, Thunder Rider, unleashed their second album, Tales of Darkness and Light Chapter II (can you guess their début title?) already this century, more exactly in the year of our Lord Iommi, 2002, although it keeps all the hallmarks of their first effort dated from 1988. Just like their eighties début, ToD&LII is a first-rate effort on how to lay humongous slabs of unadulterated and classic epic metal with intricate ambient, intelligent lyrics and moving guitar work supported by a top notch band that doesn't do any concessions to the trends du jour.

Thunder Rider are the defiant conquerors with no opposition, to the best of my knowledge, in their well crafted, melodic but crushing, pomp but flying dangerously low brand of the utmost epic heavy metal.

Let me stress that this album is a self -release, so if you can't afford the CD (many times I can't), which includes a twenty odd something page booklet with an illustration to each song, at least go to Thunder Rider's website and buy a pin, sticker or t shirt, actually they have some decent merchandise to sell. I'm in no way related to the band, in fact I hardly have any friends, probably due to a combination of my outstanding musical taste, football team choice, vicious pets and perfectly reasonable claim to be the modern day reincarnation of King Herod, The Great... Oh, let's not forget my good looks and consequent horde of concubines.



Also, I would like to underline the fact that I am not a multi instrumentalist like John Blackwing, Thunder Rider's lead voice, lead, rhythm & synth guitar, acoustic six & twelve string, keyboards and classical flute...uff! I can barely manage to play door bells, let alone a guitar! What I'm saying is that in no way am I qualified to even pretend to seriously review any of the music on this page. What I can do, however, is to describe the feelings I get when I listen to it, on that subject, I certainly have some considerable experience. For a more detailed and technical minded review, please let your index finger take you here.

So, if you want something eclectic in it's influences but straight up epic metal in its delivery, go for Thunder Rider. If you also want a high quality but obscure release, don't hesitate. Absolute no fillers here, 110% epic, with well crafted atmosphere and truly believable metal, the kind that takes you there, the kind that doesn't disappoint or fail to elevate you to that next level of empowerment only achieved by a good classic heavy metal band. At least I consecutively fail to grasp this same feeling in the more modern and "extreme" bands, but that might be just me... though I doubt!

Adramelch - Broken History (2005)

Adramelch's "Broken History" was released after a 17 year gap since their début, "Irae Melanox", an album that has apparently achieved cult status in the prog scene. Why the wait? Can't tell you, to be honest, I've never heard their first album, what I do know is that "Broken History" will keep you sharpening the long sword of fine and epic lyricism while your mount gallops countless crushing riffs towards Jerusalem under orders from Pope Urban II.

Colossal musicianship in the shape of a monolithic album, with relentless sharp dual axes pounding any infidel that dares to raise his/her ugly head in doubt of the epicness that germinates out of this work by the italian band Adramelch.

If I was forced to choose only one of this compositions, after much deliberating and mental fencing with my short attention span demons, the conclusion would be the grinding, strenuous and almost fatal for the listener "Different Times, Different Places". No cheesy chorus, no easy ear worms here, just full blown heavy metal in the form of deadly blows by Adramelch!



Be forewarned, Adramelch tasted the blood and has now released a third album named "Lights from Oblivion" out April 27th on Pure Prog Records.

Finally manage to find Adramelch's first album, Irae Melanox and let me tell you that this band is taking giant steps into some of the highest spots of my all time favourite bands list. Their last album will be my next buy!

Argus - s/t (2009)

Here's some old school doom metal that doesn't sound like a tribute band. Argus same titled début never got the recognition that it deserved when it was released in 2009.

Some kind reviewer had the following to say in metal archives:

Holy mother of riff does this album smoke, glorious epic doom metal spliced with good old balls to the wall heavy metal. Everything from the front cover to the performances reeks of awesome, but especially the riffs. This album is all about the power of the riff, and every song packs a good few skull crushers, I really can't emphasize the quality enough here, and any self proclaimed fan of the riff should get this album quick.


For fans of Slough Feg, Hour of 13 and most traditional doom metal.

Gotham City - The Unknown (1984)

After escaping from the RIAA dungeons, here I am again, this time with the long awaited début (three years, to be precise) of the first Scandinavian band on The Hounds Of Doom. The dubious credit goes all to Gotham City and The Unknown from 1984 (Fingerprint Records), another great vintage year, as far as metal is concerned.




Although, if this album was released in the 21st century, I'd assume it to be a tribute to Donald Rumsfeld, a creature now much more forgotten than Gotham City could ever be, even if all their legions of loyal fans were wiped out of the map by one of Donald's ICBM's...Let's hope not, though!

Now that I've run out of bad jokes, if you want to read a proper review of this swedish gem, I advise a quick jump to metal archives.

Gypsyhawk - Patience And Perseverance (2010)

The Gypsyhawk debut available here, authorized by the band and totally legal.


Here's a quick biography off the band's facebook

Biography
"Combining the sound of Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind, and Black Sabbath with - somehow - just a few average dudes out there to return music to the people that appreciate it, Gypsyhawk is a band's band, a fan's band...and a god damn rock band when rock and roll needs it most. In a time when music is shoveled down your throat, Gypsyhawk backs up the walk (and mabye a little swagger) with rock. The band's first show in their hometown of Pasadena, Calif. yielded an enthusiastic and devoted crowd, showing the promise Gypsyhawk holds in the palm of their hands...well, as soon as this next solo is done. Then they'll have a free hand.... Turn down the lights and turn up the tunes indeed."

Description
Hard drinking, life loving, rib chomping, woman stealing, full housin', mother fuckers.




Hope you like it!

Blasphème - Désir De Vampyr - 1985

Blasphème are a French Heavy Metal band formed in 1981 and after a first
album in 1983 the Englishman Robert Wood, arrived in 1985 to record their
masterpiece, the sophomore Desir de Vampyr. This album is a classic of French
heavy metal and were this band singing in English , I dare say their brand
of dark, crispy sounding but macabre would have been a force to be reckoned
with in the heavy metal scene of their era.

I was old and lucky enough at the time to enjoy their music as they were never
big in the English speaking world like Trust or even Sortilège. Though there's a
certain resemblance between the last and Blaspheme, I find them closer to the
Danish band Mercyful Fate with the obvious differences. When compared both
singers,Marc holds his ground very firmly even when talking of a legend
like King Diamond.

Another positive point about this album is the fact that it doesn't have any
bad tracks at all and even if like me, you are not quite familiar with French
bands, or your knowledge of Napoleon's idiom goes from "baguette" to "baton"
with nothing in between, don't let that turn you away from this jewel in the
crown of French Heavy Metal.

The crispy production and skill displayed by Blaspheme, when allied to
the decadent and unholy vibe that hovers all through this album should
be a reason strong enough to have it in your collection, filed under
Pure Unadulterated Heavy Metal

Did you notice that on this review the abbreviation NWOBHM was
never used? Now, that's certainly rare, more so if discussing an album
from an early 80's Heavy Metal band but because they are French
there was nothing I could do, damn!




My favourite tracks are "Seul", "Desir de Vampyr" and "Vive Libre".
Please remember that I've listened to this album countless times during
the last 24 years, so trust me!
For fans of Mercyful Fate, Sortilege and Satan Jokers.

Brocas Helm - Defenders Of The Crown - 2004

Brocas Helm doesn't need any introduction. If you like their work, order the real thing from their official website, they are highly collectible plus Brocas Helm are an unsigned act who self released
this album. If you like it (and I'm sure you will) do the decent thing and get it a.s.a.p.

Dark Quarterer - Etruscan Prophecy - 1988

Practitioners of old school Italian epic heavy metal, Dark Quarterer are without a doubt a kvlt band. Maybe the fact that they started around 1974 and have released about one album per decade helped to cement an underground following around the world.
Get yourself an education, let the Etruscan Prophecy school you on how epic and ancient a band can sound without trying. Fans of Manilla Road bow in reverence and dare not ignore such gem.

Atlantean Kodex - The Pnakotic Demos - 2007

Epic heavy metal from the belly of the beast...No growling, grunting or any other trademarks of shitty black/whatever-we-are-this-week metal. Only powerful, melodic tunes about Sword & Sorcery. Expect a very decent 30 odd minutes of epic battle metal.