Release
date: January 29th 2016. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Revengeance
– Tracklisting
1.Throne
of Fire - 04:31
2.Thunderhoof
- 09:38
3.Wrath
Gauntlet - 08:39
4.Revengeance
- 06:10
5.Every
Man Is an Enemy - 06:46
6.Earthenguard
- 11:44
Band
Members:
Jon
Davis - guitar / vocals
Rich
Lewis - drums
Chris
Fielding - bass / vocals
Review:
Conan
are back with what must be one of the most anticipated new albums
slated for release this year. And without fucking about with long
winded intro's let me tell you it's an absolute BEAST of a record.
There
have been some changes in the ranks since 2014's bruising "Blood
Eagle" which now leaves Jon Davis as the only original member of
the band left standing. But this doesn't seemed to have effected
Conan one little bit. In fact I would go as far as to say it's
improved them. Revengeance is in my mind the best thing they have
released to date which when you consider they have a back catalogue
of EP's, albums and splits most bands would kill for is no small
accomplishment.
So,
things have changed within the ranks in the band, so how does this
play out (pun intended) on the new record? This is still very much
Conan. Everything you already love about them is present and correct.
Slow gravity defying riffs, those now distinct armour piercing wails
from Jon Davis and of course songs that bring to mind charging into
the heart of every battle from Viking folklore.
But
there's more.....
With
the addition of Chris Fielding, Conan now have a dual vocal attack.
The very different tones of both vocalists are used brilliantly and
confidently throughout proceedings. Dual vocals seamlessly interlock
with each other, and each vocalist takes the lead on a number of
occasions and bounce of each other like this is what they've always
done. Then there's the tempo changes. Whilst there's still plenty of
"low and slow" moments there are also a few much quicker
moments, the brilliant album opener "Throne Of Fire" and
the title track in particular (which can be viewed here in case
you've somehow missed it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT143oJUUKU)
Also
the sublime drumming from new drummer Rich Lewis (also of Intensive
Square) has to be mentioned. He had pretty big shoes to fill, and
fill them he does, in fact he might even need to go up a size.
Throughout this record Conan treat us to six more battle anthems all
dripping with a new found spite and intent that sees them cement
their place at the forefront of the current Doom movement.
To
quote The Poetic Edda....
A
wayfarer should not walk unarmed,
But
have his weapons to hand:
He
knows not when he may need a spear,
Or
what menace meet on the road.
Now
armed with Revengeance Conan find themselves more than equipped for
whatever they may meet on the road. Miss this at your peril.
Words
by Simon Ross Williams
Thanks
to Mona and Jon at Napalm Records for the promo. Revengeance to buy
on CD/DD/Vinyl from Napalm Records on 29th January 2016.
Links:
