Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 07:15 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Epic metal
Country: United States
Label: Swords and Chains Records
Year: 2014
When a band counts hopefully 16 years of continuous presence in the metal scene holding intransigent stance on the synthetic style then this only means one thing. That is unconditional love and passion for heavy metal music. In an era where most of the bands shamelessly copy music from the 60’s and 70’s, desperately trying to sound satanic and occult or sacrifice everything for the sake of synthetic progress, Skelator spits them and their fans in the face and continue their epic metal journey unabated. This may sound quaint but isn’t this the essence of epic metal music? You either adore it or hate it.
King Of Fear is the fourth full length release of the band that bears the name of the avowed enemy of He-Man. Skelator is now collaborating with Swords and Chains Records after the expiry of their cooperation with Metal On Metal. The amazing cover was an idea of the band’s singer Jason Conde-Houston and was elaborately executed by Adam Vick. Regarding the musical content, it is none other than genuine, unadulterated and uncompromising epic metal.
Having left behind the speed metal bursts of their early efforts, the Americans here continue to create in the style of the previous album ‘Agents Of Power’. But I sense a strong European air in the compositions of the ‘King Of Fear’ more than ever. In the opening title track I was almost convinced that Morby of Domine was doing guest vocals. Even the structure of some songs is based on the style of the great Italians. In no case, however, I cannot claim that the band is copying the trademark sound of the old continents epic / power metal scene. Besides, the correct influences never harmed any serious band. The compositions of ‘King Of Fear’ exude dynamism, inspiration, strength and character. The band shows tremendous prospect and it is more than clear that we are talking about their most mature album. One has to count many years on his back and bleed for the genre to write songs like Sword Of The Dawn. The executive level of the band is high giving us tons of sharp riffs, torrents of staggering solos, rhythm section that kills and a throat singing with pride knowing exactly when the time has come to scream the necessary epic metal war cry. Without having moderate moments I would like to single out the roughness and the lyricism of Stronger Than Steel and Sword Of Dawn, the full metal attack of Raging Demo and Test The Metal, but also the brilliant King Of Fear and Temple Of The Witch as the best compositions of the album.
I honestly do not think there is reason for anyone to expand to crappy recollections of the glorious when we have such quality material nowadays. Bands that do not simply replicate others, just hoping to steal a bit of sparkle from the originals. Skelator know to who they are addressed and we in our turn thank them for one of the best albums of 2014.
4,5/6
