Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 10:28 AM by Nikos Nakos
Είδος: Epic Metal
Χώρα: Ελλάδα
Εταιρεία: Floga Records
Έτος: 2023
Ten crushing heavy metal anthems, so simple and solid is the title that captures the essence of ‘Storming the Walls’. Triumpher gives us raw, epic steel, that rare kind of music that, no matter how many years pass, gives you the same feeling of spiritual upliftment.
The energy released already from the first track of the album, “Journey/Europa Victrix”, activates all the brain synapses that lead to the endless excitement and the battle seems to have been won from the very beginning. It’s practically impossible after the metallic swagger of “Thunderer” and the extremely addictive chorus of “Storming the Walls”, not to let out inarticulate war cries of satisfaction.
Under other circumstances, I would try to keep my cool and make my point about the record with facts, arguments and endless descriptions, maybe even references to other bands. But really, dear reader, I don’t feel the need to do that, because here we have a landmark record from now and for the future, for how heavy metal should be played, epic and dark.
But what makes it so unique? If we deconstruct ‘Storming the Gates’, we get all the ingredients that make archetypal heavy/epic metal, when played right: Sharp riffs that tap into traditional metal while still sounding fresh and bloody, breakthrough choruses for heroic times that is perfectly suited for gigs and atmosphere drawn from all the hard paths the Manowar walked in their prime, when they melted black steel with their teeth.
This is proud epic metal, which is not afraid to go dangerously dark and tread even on black/death lines, to describe the black vision of ‘Storming the Walls’. As we progress through the record, the speeds pick up, the riffs become more and more twisted and the texture of the tracks ends up being suffocating. The initial mental uplift gives way to an undefined anxiety, a tightening in the stomach, as Triumpher does not succumb to pseudo-romantic nuances.
The pounding is relentless and constant and nowhere is it more evident than in the “Esoteric Church of Dagon”, where the battle has now reached its climax. Borderline thrashy and progressive alternation of guitar themes, with a riff that hails from… ‘Walls of Jericho’ and a great closing with vocals reminding the hall of the King of the Mountain. A true epic and personal favorite from the record.
If we absolutely have to find a weakness in the album, I would stretch the following one: ‘Storming the Walls’ seems to be somewhat divided stylistically, one foot in classic heavy/epic and the other in heavy epic metal with extreme metal influences. A successful combination, but it might alienate listeners who want their metal to put more emphasis on the melody and the catchiest choruses, like in “The Blazing Circle”.
That’s mere whining, though. When you have a debut like this in front of you, you don’t overanalyze, instead, you let it bite you. Shockingly good album, a megaton surprise that only true heavy metal can deliver.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Triumpher.official
Bandcamp: triumpher.bandcamp.com/album/storming-the-walls
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCB2jUDdELSBSaW5IoiOTIFw
Instagram: instagram.com/triumpher.official
