Release
date: November 9th
2015. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Render
Unto Archarus – Tracklisting
1.Sea
Wolf 04:28
2.Under
A Tattered Banner 04:19
3.Lizardfish
06:44
4.Tower
of the Wizard 04:52
5.The
Last of the Giants 03:39
6.Fire
Blade 07:20
7.Snow
Hammer 07:28
8.San
Sabado 06:25
Band
Members:
Matt
Hannon - Guitar & Voice
Drew
Smith - Guitar
Tristan
Thompson - Bass
John
Mark Olson - Drums
Review:
Archarus
style of Stoner Metal is one that will appeal to fans of Orange
Goblin though with elements of Thrash Metal and NWOBHM giving the
band a hard as nails approach on their debut album – Render Unto
Archarus. The album isn’t the most original of sounds by any means
but it’s the bands sense of fun and adventure that make this album
such an exciting listen.
The
album has a nautical feel as you can tell by the album cover and the
lyrical content held within the opening song – Sea Wolf. OK, maybe
the song title does give the game away a bit. The band calls their
music – Vintage Metal and that’s a cool description as that’s
what the band is good at. Mixing Vintage Metal/Classic Rock with a
more modern Stoner Metal feel. The vocals have a 80s old school
thrash metal band feel to them. It’s the riffs that will keep you
entertained from start to finish.
Second
track – Under A Tattered Banner – is more of the same
Stoner/Thrash/Doom Metal hybrid sound from the opening song though
Archarus opt for a Psych Rock feel towards the end of the song.
approach. The vocals once again drift from the classic heavy metal
style to a heavier doomier sound.
Third
track – Lizardfish - sees the band opt for a more Wo Fat/Orange
Goblin sound with the progressive stoner riffs having an air of
menace to them. The vocals are very OTT but I suppose that’s the
point especially with a song called Lizardfish. This song would have
been better if it was purely instrumental affair but to give the band
credit they’ve written some funny lyrics to match the OTT
atmosphere. It will leave you with a smile on your face and it shows
Stoner Metal doesn’t have to be so serious at times.
Fourth
track – Tower Of The Wizard – moves away from the nautical world
and into the realms of Fantasy. I’m going to stop over-analyzing
this album and just enjoy the album for what is. A strong collection
of songs where the band create heavy stoner riffs that are meant to
be played at a loud volume. This song is no different as Archarus
become ever more confident singing tales of battling sea monsters and
becoming powerful wizards. No this isn’t Folk/Power Metal
territory, just a band having fun with their music. Truth be told,
it’s quite addictive at times.
The
four remaining songs all share the same superb riffs and fantastical
lyrics of the earlier songs. The whole mood and tone of the album
remains the same from beginning to end. As I stated earlier, Archarus
are not going to win any awards for originality but they’re a
highly talented band. I think within a few years and perhaps a couple
more releases they may have the potential to release something
special. Until then Render Unto Archarus is a confident, brash and
exciting debut album that will find a lot of fans within the Stoner
Metal community.
Words
by Steve Howe
