On My Command – Conquer
On My Command – Conquer
Self-Released
Release Date: 28/03/2025
Review by Victor Augusto
8.5/10
I don’t think I’m the most knowledgeable person to talk about Classic Heavy Metal despite the fact that I started to enjoy Heavy Metal a long time ago, hearing bands such as Iron Maiden and Manowar when I was just 10 years, back in 1994. Soon, I entered into the world of heavier styles such as Thrash or Death Metal, but I believe I still can perform a few paragraphs with simple words about an album that carries the kind of music as this one from the Australian band On My Command plays.
They have been showing endless creativity since 2018, considering this is the 3rd album so far and it is hard to see independent bands releasing so many albums in a short space of time, and let’s not forget the more than 2 years of lockdown when nobody could do anything. When I realized we were in front of a kind of one-man band, I felt it was an even more remarkable achievement. On My Command has Sean Mackay as the person responsible for making it happen.
Musically, there are a few details that I think are impressive. First is the quality of the record production. The guitars, bass and drums sound powerful and not so ‘digital’ as we sometimes hear on more recent recordings’ productions. I mean, the arrangements are excellent, but it sounds strong at the same time keeps that organic vibe. The drum is the only instrument not played by Sean. James Knoerl had the duty to do it and congrats to him for what he’s done. The drum sound is amazing and he plays amazingly well, as you can hear in ‘Gateways’.
The second interesting detail is how On My command really sounds like a very tight, complete band playing, despite only having just two musicians here. Congrats to Sean who really made it sound like a lot more players. And it’s not only musically he should be congratulated, he is also a good vocalist. Even with my bad Brazilian knowledge of understanding songs sung in English, it was easy to understand what he says.
Last, but not the least, is the rescue of a good old Traditional Heavy Metal in this album. It’s like hearing the best of Judas Priest and Accept qualities mixed with a bit of Gamma Ray. I felt like everything was thought out properly, to be well-balanced, without exacerbated trademarks of what we hear from these bands. One example of what I’m saying now is the song ‘Shoulders Of Giants’. It carries all the influences from these bands, but in good measure. Nobody asked, but this one is my favorite song from the album.
I know the album title has nothing related to what I will say, but I do believe it is worth the name “Conquer” by how it conquers the listener’s attention through its quality and composition. At least for me, it made me enjoy their music on the first listen.
TRACKLISTING:
01. The Thunder King
02. Burning Desire
03. Gateways
04. By This Sign
05. Shoulders Of Giants
06. You Are Beaten
07. Hall Of Mirrors
08. Phantasm
09. The Final Battle
LINE-UP:
Sean Mackay – Guitars, Bass, Vocals
James Knoerl – Session Drums
LINKS:
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