Ελληνικά
Genre: Speed Metal
Country: Finland
Label: Spinefarm Records
Year: 2015
Ranger. White high tops. Denim and leather jackets. Moustaches. 101 % hoodlumism. That’s what Ranger is. That’s what you’ll find in their new album “Where Evil Dwells”, released on March 13th 2015 via Spinefarm Records.
At last, after all that patience, here comes Ranger’s first full length album, which we’ve been waiting for quite a long time. The EP was great, the demos were great, the singles were great… It was ripe time to finally release their first full length studio album for all their fan’s sakes! Seven tracks demolishing everything in their way with their speed and aggression. Two of the tracks were previously released by the band; “Defcon1” (the album opener) and “Storm of Power” a couple of months ago; the first one as a lyric video and the latter as a music clip, going viral in a tick of time.
“Where Evil Dwells” is fast, relentless, unsparing. Supersonic guitars and so high – pitched vocals that a dolphin can understand the lyrics (and that’s NOT a bad thing, dude!). If you hit the “play” button, there’s no way you’ll just listen to the record once. Multiple hits of “repeat album” button; de facto.
The first two tracks of the record, “Defcon1” and “Deadly Feast” introduce you with the best possible way to the concept of the album. Raw power, great solos, haunting riffs and lyrics that keep you on alert. “Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide”; Ranger seems to know how to make you clench your fist! Exceptional work on drumming is evident in “Phantom Soldier”, sticking to your mind like superglue. “Dead Zone” and “Black Circle” fluctuate in the same speedy and aggressive, bursting – out compositions, ultimately proving that the band deserves to reach the top in its field and – who knows? – the top of nowadays metal scene. “Where Evil Dwells” follows. An (almost) 11 – minute saga. It’s like listening to a modern twist of an early Slayer and Agent Steel meets Abattoir combo. The guitars are on fire, the lyrics deserve a Pulitzer award, the drumming wakes up the beast in you. Last, but not least, we have “Storm of Power”. Definitely one of the best moments of the album, explaining the reason why it’s the first track chosen for a musical clip. Only for hardcore fans of the genre, who get excited by guitars faster than the speed of light and vocals that surprise you by their range in every verse. By the way, having said that, I noticed something; I don’t know if it’s in my head or it does actually exist, but Pontiac’s vocals at some point seem a little different from what we are used to. They’re even higher at some parts, letting his vocal range unfold in a greater level.
The only objection to this masterpiece is the arrangement of the tracks. Especially the last two. It would be better if “Storm of Power” got higher, leaving its place to “Where Evil Dwells”, since it’s the longer track of the record.
Overall, “Where Evil Dwells” is a great album with crystal clear sound and solid production. It’s a release more honest and upright than any other in its field (along with Evil Invaders’ “Pulses of Pleasure”). This is speed metal. Without overuse of effects in the instruments or on the vocals, without maxed out stilted riffs that seem unreal, without fake sounds, without chichi affected music videos in order to balance the lack of quality in compositions (names shall not be spoken). That’s what speed metal is. All the others can close the door as they leave the room.
Ranger rewarded our patience by releasing one of the best albums is 2015 in their genre. Compensation for the psychological anguish has been counterbalanced. Don’t miss it. Don’t dare to.
5.5/6
