HAUNT - Mind Freeze (Album Review)

Release date: January 5th 2019. Label: Shadow Kingdom Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Mind Freeze – Tracklisting

1.Light The Beacon

2.Hearts On Fire

3.Mind Freeze

4.Divide And Conquer

5.Saviors Of Man

6.Fight Or Flight

7.Have No Fear

8.On The Stage

9.Voyager

Members

Trevor William Church : Vocals, Guitar

John Tucker : Lead Guitar

Taylor Hollman : Bass

Daniel Wilson : Drums

Review

Southern California’s Beastmaker was one of my absolute favorite bands over the last couple of years. So, I was supremely disappointed when main man Trevor Church dissolved the occult loving, Sabbath worshipping monsters around a year ago to focus his attention on his newest project, Haunt. For those unfamiliar, Haunt delves more into the NWOBHM feel and 80’s metal sound. Definitely more of a Dio era Sabbath vs. Ozzy era, which typically isn’t my cup of tea, but I have to be completely honest, Haunt kills it, like nobody’s business!

Mind Freeze is the band’s 3rd full length (2nd in almost a year) along with a couple of EP's and split singles as well. To say Church and his cohorts are prolific, may be the understatement of the year. Hot on the heels of 2018’s If Icarus Could Fly, Mind Freeze shows the band really flexing their musical chops and diving head-first into the 80’s metal feel. The most obvious addition to this record from the previous is the inclusion and consistent use of the synthesizer, which Haunt uses flawlessly. While I mentioned previously the more similarity to Dio era Sabbath, Mind Freeze may actually owe more to solo era Ozzy than the former, perhaps due to Church’s vocal similarity to the Ozzman.

The album opens with the big synth intro and amazingly catchy and harmonic, Light the Beacon, an homage to all of those that are gone and keeping their spirits alive. Hearts on Fire explodes out of the gate with breakneck drums and a superfast tempo that carries more killer harmonies and mind melting solos. 

The title track follows, Mind Freeze, a rhythmic mid tempo rocker that, maybe because of the synth line, reminds me of Ozzy’s Shot in the Dark. The title track is a killer classic. Synths, double kick drums, and big riffs bring on Divide & Conquer. A pummelling track that also offers a big synth lead breakdown and one of the biggest solos around. An apocalyptic feel permeates the very 80’s metal sound of Saviours of Man, with a double lead guitar and bouncy synth line, this one delivers. 

The band brings the breakneck tempo back with some amazing guitar work and whiplash drumming on the stellar Fight or Flight. Yet another killer track. The tempo slows, but only momentarily, as the synths and a mighty riff open Have No Fear. With a thumping drive and shouted chorus, there is a welcome bit of Maiden showing on this one. On the Stage follows with a big, guitar heavy intro and more driving rhythm. Voyager closes the record as a cosmic fuelled journey with a big drum and synth intro that turns to a high octane trip to somewhere beyond the stars

While I will miss my beloved Beastmaker, Haunt brings the perfect amount of heavy riffage to ease the pain and fill the void. Mind Freeze is a tremendous record and a big step for Church and Haunt. The band seems poised to take their place in the front and lead the charge for Heavy Metal in the new decade! Dig on this!

Todd S - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Mind Freeze will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Shadow Kingdom Records from Jan 5^th 2020

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

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:

Facebook | BandCamp