Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 11:23 PM by Nikos Nakos
Genre: Epic Heavy Metal
Country: U.S.A.
Label: No Remorse Records
Year: 2016
Imaginative and quite entertaining are the stories created behind the new releases of the biggest heavy metal bands these days. In this delirium of enthusiasm we can easily recognize the compulsion of the (younger in age) metal audience to live everything they didn’t have the chance to live. All the tributes in printed or online press about the 80’s golden years (and 90’s power metal) and the releases that marked genres and scenes have indirectly passed the message that during the 90’s, the grave of heavy, power, epic “whatever you may call it” metal, was dug. Therefore, after the rebirth of the sound in recent years, the newest generations are desperately looking for their own ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’, ‘Death Or Glory’ and ‘Warning Of Danger’. What’s impossible to happen though, is albums of such merit to be released by Iron Maiden, Running Wild or Omen nowadays. The discovery of the next band who will lead any scene is of vital importance and its absence is translated to the deification of any new release by bands that should have disbanded a long time ago.
Difficult times for heroes and I think that Eternal Champion don’t really care about who will win the crown of metal. They focus on the music itself and came out with a huge album that will be loved not only by the audience that likes this kind of epic style, but also by the ones that perceive extreme sound as a whole and not as a borderline, while confusing labels.
It might not be too soon, in my opinion, to describe the content of “The Armor of Ire” with comments like “Epic”, or “Masterpiece”. Though we are talking about the first complete studio album of the band, this material shows that Eternal Champion arrived to stir the standing waters of the underground American heavy metal. The epic metallers from Austin, Texas, with a demo and a split with Gatekeeper on their backs, move on with slow but steady steps and pass successfully through obstacles like the influences and the cliches of epic metal. It’s obvious that the Americans have good musical ideas, a vision and a personal sound, they continue based on their hard work and not by borrowing inspiration from anyone.
The opening track “I Am the Hammer” offers the perfect example of the philosophy of the band, since it shows clearly how different they apprehend the term “epic metal music” compared to most of the bands out there. Nicely orchestrated, simple but so substantial, with one robust and imposing riff that doesn’t leave any doubt in terms of composing quality. The rhythm of the album goes from heavy riffing like in “Sing A Last Song Of Valdese” and “I Am The Hammer” to the melancholy of “Invoker”, to the mid tempo galloping of “The Armor Of Ire”, “The Last King Of Picdom” and “The Cold Sword”. The pompous spirit of the music of the Texans is in perfect harmony with the lyrical sword ‘n’ sorcery theme, comprising a flawless result. An album of hammering heavy metal with compositions that pay respect to the glorious past but, most importantly, looking ahead and immunizing its sound in the future. The voracious six string play of Blake Ibanez, Carlos Llanas and John Powers with a scary sullenness, sometimes stand proud giving the pace and sometimes get involved in deadly solo fights, proving that the feeling always wins over showing off. In front of them stands the adamantine voice of Jason Tarpey who, while not reaching the levels of half-men / half-gods like Adams or Oliva, still impresses with his stability and his tone during the whole album, as well as the passion with which he sings the lyrics.
Perfect from start to finish, running for 35 minutes, “The Armor of Ire” conveys the appetite and the talent of five men with actual vision and love for the underground. Keeping the spirit of the old American Epic / Power, Eternal Champion draw influences of the European scene with capable allies like Wrathblade, Terminus and a bunch of others that keep the flame alive. A record of molten metal that today is needed more than ever.
