HAUNT - Burst Into Flame (Album Review)

Release date: August 10^th 2018. Label: Shadow Kingdom Records. Format: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl

Burst Into Flame – Tracklisting

1.Burst Into Flame

2.Crystal Ball

3.Reflectors

4.My Mirage

5.Wanderlust

6.Frozen In Time

7.Heroes

8.Can't Get Back

9.Looking Glass

Members

Trevor William Church - Everything

Review

Greetings All,

I was first introduced to the amazing Beastmaker when last year I reviewed their stellar second record Inside the Skull. In hindsight it was without a doubt my favorite record last year and should have topped my best of list. I only recently stumbled across the debut EP, Luminous Eyes, from Beastmaker main man, Trevor William Church side project/second band? Haunt. Luminous Eyes was a brief, four song salute to the soaring guitars and Church’s affection for the NWOBHM.

Church and Haunt (as a full band) are back with their utterly amazing debut record, Burst Into Flame. Whereas Beastmaker is a more Sabbath inspired exploration into the occult, Haunted is very much rooted in the NWOBHM and 80’s metal. Burst Into Flames, while still dark, is a joyous romps through themes of time, love, and loss. Everything about this record is strong. Church is a master guitarist and a downright amazing songwriter. He is as crafty with a big pop rock hook as he is with a monster sized riff.

The record opens with the title track, Burst Into Flame, with its chugging riff and whiplash, Motorhead like speed it is a perfect opening track The one-two punch of Crystal Ball and Reflectors follows. These two tracks show Church’s unmatched songwriting. He is able to convey an array of emotions in his words and amazing fretwork. The latter is a melodic masterpiece, My Mirage is another gem that conveys so clearly lost love and the search to find it.

Wanderlust is driving catchy rocker that leads into the unforgettable earworm of Frozen In Time. This track is immense and undeniable and as good as it gets when it comes to a perfect rock song. Church and company bring out their inner Maiden & Priest for Heroes, a complex and dark song with a driving sound that is second to none. Can’t Get Back continues the barrage and is eerily reminiscent of Ozzy’s 80’s solo work. Perhaps it is in Church’s vocal sound, which is very Ozzy-esque. The album closes with driving drums and bombastic soloing of Looking Glass. A solid closer to the amazing nine song journey.

We are blessed that Mr. Church is as prolific as he is talented. Check the eight (yes eight!) Beastmaker EP’s that were recently released. If you dig Beastmaker, and you should, you will absolutely dig Haunt. I honestly cannot wait to put my cassette copy (already pre-ordered) into my Walkman and crank it up, Burst Into Flames is a triumph from beginning to end. I am sure it will end up at the top of many a years best list. I know it will be on mine. I won’t make the same mistake twice.

Todd S - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Burst Into Flame will be available to buy on Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl via Shadow Kingdom Records from August 10^th 2018.

Links:

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