The Redeemer
(No Remorse Records)
35:02min
Formed in 2017, this thunderous Heavy Metal band from Greece presents their second full length. For a Heavy Metal maniac like me, Greece is usually represented more with bands like ROTTING CHRIST or SEPTIC FLESH, but they have always been a very good place for traditional Heavy Metal, yet probably not many bands in the style have gotten recognition as the more extreme country mates had. Well, it is time for something to change and this fantastic piece of Metal could probably brake those chains. Now, the sound is killer, very heavy but not sounding modern. There is a very tasteful sound that recalls bands like MANOWAR, JUDAS PRIEST, early FATES WARNING and OMEN. Oh well, actually it is no surprise that I mentioned the creators of “Warning Of Danger” as the vocalist of DARKLON is also now the new vocalist of the American legends. Now that I listen more to the album, there is a slight texture on the voice of Nikos that reminds a little to the master JD Kimball (may his soul rest in the Warriors Eden). The music in here contains some of those Epic Metal moments from the aforementioned bands, with a very impressive vocal performance and riffs that will have you humming the melodies in no time. A song like ‘Lamashtu’s Claws’ is one that any fan of Epic Battle Metal will enjoy and sing in no time and has all the characteristics to become a classic. At times the band sounds more like a very early form of Speed Metal, which is a plus in my book. By the titles of the songs, we are also talking about the eternal struggle between a normal life and that of heroism that at the end usually ends in blood and death. The band closes the album with another jewel in ‘Way Back Home’ which would make any De Maio fan proud. A fantastic Metal album that recalls the spirit of the ’80s yet with a touch of their own that feels like the breeze of a battle won after many lives were taken but peace was restored. www.facebook.com/darklonmetal, www.facebook.com/noremorserecordsgreece
Julián “The Bloodstone” Núñez