REVIEWS ROUND-UP: ft. Enforced – Chronicle – Vintersea – Ignea – Burning Witches


 

While paring Enforced’s third album, War Remains (Century Media) down to a violent interbreeding of Seasons In The Abyss and Nightmare Logic may seem a little unfair and reductive, nonetheless, it immediately focuses the mind on the sort of aggressive perfection you have in store on this utter treat of metallic pummelling.

Having decided to dispense with the niceties of clinical studio precision in favour of punching out a stomping (barely) controlled ferocity, the hostilities on display cannot fail but to put a smile on the face of any discerning riff monkey. I am no seer, but I can predict the single-most enjoyably violent place to be on earth will be two metres in front of any stage that Enforced are destroying on this album run.

Summing it all up in the pugnacious glory that is ‘Ultra-violence’, Enforced bludgeon with chugging joy, thrashing malevolence, metallic stomp, and hardcore energy, all captured in a gloriously crisp, crunchiness (Arthur Rizk having something to do with that!) that is both meaty yet lean, and that enhances the stomping power inherent in each track.

Our world has, sadly had a Power Trip-sized hole at its heart for the last couple of years, and while no one can replace Riley Gale and his crew, this Richmond five-piece have served up a powerful argument that they should at least step into the void, and onto the death decks of those who held Power Trip dear.

Buy War Remains here:

https://enforced.lnk.to/WarRemains

 

8 / 10

 

 

Of a more melodeath meets technical thrash approach, but no less febrile in their intent, Danish foursome Chronicle unleash a statement of intent with Where Chaos Thrives (Mighty Music), also their third full-length album; an intent perhaps best displayed on ‘Terrorform’ with its jagged Gothenburg inspired pounding spiralling into Laiho-esque lead licks and crafted solos.

‘Black Tide’ plays further homage to the lakes of Bodom, and throughout the album hooks and guitar lead dances are prevalent, adding the right flashes of colour amongst the scythe, rage, and roses of the aggressive moments, Jari S. Holopainen pushing the energy from behind the drum kit.

 

 

Allowing themselves the opportunity to explore longer compositions (with mixed success… sometimes less is more – sorry, Yngwie – particularly when playing with only a few toys), Chronicle demonstrate ambition alongside technical proficiency and an ear for combining melody with aggression that will serve them in good stead. Chaos does indeed thrive on this promising and energetic offering.

Pre-order Where Chaos Thrives here

7 / 10

 

It has been oft-discussed on these hallowed pages that there must be something infecting the residents of Portland, such is the breadth and depth of the creative outpourings that flow freely from that part of the world. Having threatened previously, Vintersea look to have quaffed deep and hard from the mountain-shadow dwelling river waters and darkened skies of their Pacific North-Western place of dwelling.

Dubbing themselves, nominally, as blackened progressive metal perhaps undermines the heft and power they unleash in their surging aggressive packages, and undersells some of the soaring melodic sections as they have particularly mastered how to segue from one to the other – the opening three minutes of ‘Devil’s Churn’ takes us from a raging growling melodeath fight to an emotive epic soaring vocal and back again, via a floating, building guitar solo.

 

With an increasing grasp of dynamics and variety, there are folky splashes and gothic segments (‘Crescent Eclipse’. ‘Lonesome Tide’) that are not un-reminiscent of Oceans of Slumber interjected throughout, with recurring scything blackened rages and cascading guitar lines to puncture the conscience that all serves to make Woven Into Ashes (M-Theory Audio) both interesting and powerful while maintaining an impressive coherence.

Buy Woven Into Ashes here:

https://www.lnk.to/wovenintoashes

7 / 10

 

 

Marrying contemporary metal crunch with symphonic elements, the versatility of Helle Bohdanova‘s voice that switches effortlessly from growls to rousing serenades to melodic power is often the focal point of Ukranian five-piece Ignea’s progressive, yet aggressive third full-length, the heady concept album Dreams of Lands Unseen (Napalm Records), telling the story of Ukrainian photographer, the revolutionary Sofia Yablonska.

 

With epic tales and vistas in mind, Ignea weave in ethnic flecks to their progressive metal bent, constantly keeping things moving both geographically and musically and, while the invention doesn’t always match the intention as passages of the album are interchangeable and would benefit from some clearer motifs or hooks to anchor more of the tracks, everything is flawlessly delivered, and a clear indication of the growth, potential and ability of Ignea. There is a tale for the ages to be told in this band, and each release brings them closer to realising their masterpiece within.

Buy Dreams of Lands Unseen here:

https://ignea.bandcamp.com/album/dreams-of-lands-unseen

6 / 10

 

 

The voracity of Swiss Heavy Metallers Burning Witches cannot be denied, with The Dark Tower (Napalm Records) their fifth album in six years, nor can their commitment to the fast, in-your-face, pounding duelling-guitar powered traditional Metal that has become their trademark.

And long may that continue. Comparisons to Warlock still maintain relevancy amidst the high-octane Priest / Accept-powered Heavy Metal ripping, and new lead guitarist Courteney Cox (joining from The Iron Maidens during Larissa Ernst’s maternity leave) makes her presence known with a whammy-bar-wangling wail on powerful ‘Unleash The Beast’ that raises fists, horns and the intensity levels.

 

 

With Laura Guldemond firmly established on the mic, and letting out a call-to-arms howl at the outset of the Dio chugging riffage of the anthemic ‘Renegade’, The Dark Tower continues to establish the Witches as one of the leading current proponents of Heavy Metal with that added urgency and snarl that too many of their contemporaries polish out of their sound.

Fifteen tracks is a bit of an ask though, with the majority of the album alternating between the expected mid-paced chunk and more uptempo headbangers, such as the standout ‘Heart Of Ice’, though there’s still time for a power ballad or two in there (‘Tomorrow’ effectively taking the mid-album reflective and restrained slot), and some darker riffing on the title track, tipping the top hat to the King of Diamond. All in, with The Dark Tower, Burning Witches have delivered another proficient and strong Heavy Metal album.

Buy The Dark Tower here:

https://www.burningwitches.ch/

7 / 10

STEVE TOVEY