Woe Of Tyrants – Kingdom Of Might
Jesu Juva
Soli Deo Gloria
Break the Fangs of the Wicked
Pearls Before Swine
Kingdom of Might (The Eclipse)
Kingdom of Might (Dawn in the Darkness)
Sounding Jerusalem
Sons of Thunder
The Seven Braids of Samson
Like Jasper and Carnelian
Golgotha
Weary of death metal’s dark, self-destructive trappings, Ohio shredders Woe Of Tyrants unveil a daringly upbeat revision of extreme music. Re-imagining a movement, which is by definition drenched in despair and ruin, this admirable stab at positive, genre-defying metal goes inevitably awry.
While ‘Kingdom Of Might’s’ biblical references alone may displease the garden-variety metalhead, its power-tinged sections are clumsily sandwiched between a bludgeoning mass of extreme assaults. Opening on a battle metal-like intro, ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ unleashes a series of rattlesnake-like blastbeats before subsiding into a hideously decorative solo. Like clouds of floral perfume atop a rotting cadaver, these melodic frills clash awkwardly with W.O.T.’s otherwise ferocious style.
Despite a few showy exceptions, extravagant fretting plays a thankfully minor role in ‘Kingdom…’ Spawned from clinical death metal, ‘Break The Fangs’…’ delicate, melodic accents merge neatly with fast-paced bass grooves. Showcasing agility and stamina in a single, bloodcurdling breath, frontman Chris Catanzaro adds the finishing touches to a whirlwind of gratuitous violence. This aggressive stint lets up a little with the distinctly American ‘Sons Of Thunder.’ Rich in bourbon-steeped, southern riffage, its thrashy appeal is rooted in unmistakable nostalgia.
Though sometimes crudely assembled, ‘Kingdom Of Might’ illustrates instrumental expertise and a fearlessly ambitious style that bodes well for future releases.
Reviewed by Faye Coulman
‘Kingdom Of Might’ is out now on Metal Blade
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