Do you remember the “Treacherous Beast” EP, which sent headbangers across the country into a state of ecstasy almost two years ago? Three tracks, ten minutes only, but yet the sound was perfectly situated somewhere between late-seventies Hardrock and this moment, when Metal emerged and became a subgenre in its own right. Now these four blood young Swedes, that were responsible for the sound, have put out their debut album, which impressively continues in the same vein. So we find plenty of beautifully arranged twin-lead guitar riffs, embedded in this warm and comforting sound which was characteristic of that era. On this record, TEMPLAR invite us on a journey into their fantasy world. Songs like ‘Witchking‘, ‘Excalibur’, ‘Rainbow’s End‘ and ‘Exiled In Fire’ – moments when the guitars practically become a sort of paintbrush, painting pictures and leaving behind splashes of color during playing the solos. With drums relentlessly driving forward, leaving room for singer Isak Neffling’s voice to weave his story. Sometimes fragile but also extremely powerful – the vocals also perfectly fit to this journey back in time into the late seventies and early eighties. Or listen to ‘The Sorceress’ which unfolds slowly, melodically and mysteriously. Building upon itself until it becomes an entity somewhere between SCORPIONS style Hardrock and CANDLEMASS style Doom Metal. Something really good: this album doesn’t lose steam toward the end. Instead, it delivers two more fantastic tracks… The BLACK SABBATH sounding ‘Shipwreck’ and the again mysteriously opening ‘White Wolf’, with a great solo in the middle. Finally the title track seems to take you by the hand – bringing you back into the here and now. What a great album that should delight fans of the original classics as well as today’s retro sounds alike! Go and support these four youngsters with buying a vinyl copy. www.facebook.com/templarsweden, www.facebook.com/jawbreakerrecords