Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths
Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths
No Remorse Records
Release Date: 26/04/24.
Running Time: 35:49
Review by Paul Hutchings
7/10
Fancy a blend of Black, Thrash and Traditional Heavy Metal? Then look no further than the second album from Morgul Blade, which is crammed full of the type of music that is sure to excite a wide cross section of the metal fraternity. The band from Pennsylvania edge towards the blackened thrash style of Midnight, Hellripper, Grave Ripper and Night Stalker, but with slower passages and maybe a little more melody. Hell, there’s even some keyboards tucked away in here.
Lyrically the band are unashamedly Tolkien focused, with tracks like the title song and Beneath the Black Sails drawing heavily from The Lord of the Rings. The strangulated rasping delivery of vocalist Lord Klauf is generic in many respects, yet it works phenomenally well with the music and style of Morgul Blade. From the opening track ‘Eagle Strike’ through to ‘The Last in a Line of Kings’, Morgul Blade draw inspiration from folklore, magic, and sorcery.
The first real surprise, following four savage tracks is the moving ‘Widow’s Lament’, which draws Celtic influences in it’s one-minute duration, before segueing into the intensity of ‘Spider God’, which erupts into a maniacal explosion of demonic thrashing chaos. If this doesn’t start those pits at live shows, nothing will.
Savage riffs, an unstoppable tempo and some snarling vocals all engage to craft an album that perhaps unsurprisingly improves with each play. It’s reasonably short, so repeat plays are not a problem. Probably top-loaded with the catchier tracks at the start, there is nevertheless several gems tucked away here. ‘Razor Sharp’ is one such track, switching from high tempo to measured pace at will.
If you enjoy some of the bands I mentioned earlier, there is a good chance that “Heavy Metal Wraiths” will also be up your street. It’s an album that scratches and rips, but which ultimately leaves you with only one desire – to play it again and again. I’d suggest that you follow that advice and absorb every moment.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Eagle Strike
02. Beneath the Black Sails
03. Heavy Metal Wraiths
04. Frostwyrm Cavalry
05. Widow’s Lament
06. Spider God
07. Razor Sharp
08. A Welcoming Hearth
09. Neither Cross nor Crown
10. The Last in a Line of Kings
LINE-UP:
Lord Klauf – Vocals, Guitar
Will Spectre – Drums, Production
Jimmy Viola – Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
Sister Midnight – Lead Guitars
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Paul Hutchings and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
