If someone were to say to
me “there’s this great band I just discovered, they’re awesome and they blend
elements of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, early Metallica, and even a bit of
Sabbath to create something that sounds familiar, yet also fresh and new” I’d
probably respond with something like “you had me at Maiden and Priest, who the
hell is it?!?” Well, that’s pretty much
what I said to myself the first time I listened to Nekromant, the newest
album from Swedish power-trio metal merchants Serpent. I do love me some traditional “melodic” metal
or whatever they call old school metal these days. In the short time since I first heard Serpent
I’ve seen them referred to as both Stoner Rock and Doom Metal, but on this
album at least, I’d have to say they are more along the lines of early Maiden,
mid-period Priest and Dio-era Sabbath, with some thrash metal passages mixed in
here and there. In any case, they’ve
crafted a rocking feast of riffs for the ears.
Not to mention that guitarist Ulf Samuelsson shares the same name as one
of the most feared, hard-hitting (and dirtiest) defensemen to ever prowl NHL
hockey rinks. That gets bonus points in
my book right there!
“Hounds of Hell” gets
things started with a slow doomy pace before kicking up the tempo straight into
a gallop that would be at home on Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All. “Doom On You” is a great mid-tempo driver,
followed by “Feverdream” a more Sabbath-y affair with a great double-time middle
section lead break with some very Iommi-esque riffs to boot. “Demon On Our Side” is another speedy number
with an infectious Maiden-y repeating lead chorus riff and a galloping bass
line. “Hey You” takes a decidedly more
Sabbath-y turn with a doomier tempo and a lead break that begins with a mid-tempo
Iommi-like section, then quickens to a faster passage very reminiscent of Dave
Murray, then finishes with a psychedelic whammy bar fueled flourish evoking
K.K. Downing. “Praying For A Curse”
begins as another quick paced shuffle then transitions to a slow plodding doom
stomp, then picks up again to full gallop.
“Leaving The World” shows a more melodic bluesy side with quieter bluesy
passages between full tilt heavier sections, picking up speed during the lead
break before boiling back down to the heavy blues beat. Up next is “This Is My Time” which begins
with a gallop that feels like the rhythm section of Iron Maiden’s “Running
Free”, before moving into a breakdown that features more of Samuelsson
channeling Dave Murray. Finishing up the
album is “Master Of Ceremony” a power metal jaunt bearing similarities to 80’s
Judas Priest and Dio-era Sabbath with the rawness of early Metallica and
classic Iron Maiden.
Bassist/vocalist Piotr Wawrzeniuk’s vocals are melodic
and smooth throughout, his bass guitar and Per Karlsson’s drums are
ever-present and razor sharp, and Ulf Samuelsson’s guitar work is spectacular,
to put it mildly. Anybody that can evoke
the masterful riffing and phrasing of Iommi, the speed and fluidity of Murray,
and the flash and psychedelia of late 70’s K.K. Downing, is a master of the
instrument in my humble opinion, and there are certainly nods to early Kirk
Hammett as well. To sum up, if you like
classic metal, with great riffing and soaring vocals, this album is a
slam-dunk.
-Riffcaster
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