Amazing how inspiration can transform into elite songwriting from the right place in the hands of superior musicians. Forming originally as a tribute to Bathory, Twilight Of The Gods consists of known members like vocalist Alan Averill (Primordial), drummer Nick Barker (ex-Cradle Of Filth, ex-Dimmu Borgir), guitarist Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir, Ava Inferi), guitarist Peter Lindgren (Thyrfing), and bassist Frode Glesnes from Einherjer. On their debut album “Fire on the Mountain” you’ll get 7 songs and 42 minutes of music penetrating the heart of classic metal with riveting, stirring hooks that can be epic at times, steady drumming with the same cultural/ militant traditional tempos and vocals with strength and temperance, but not so polished as to think this is a punched in performance.
“Destiny Forged in Blood” grabs you from the start with this circular riff and Alan’s echoing cultural melodies, the closing ‘right- your – destiny’ refrain matching Nick Barker’s snare hits perfectly. The follow up “Children of Cain” contains some stair step guitar harmonies against this slower mid-tempo doom march, sure to provoke many air simulation moments at your stereo or when taking in the band’s performances live. Other favorites include the monstrous straight riffing in “Preacher Man” featuring some killer Bill Ward meets old school Neil Peart fills from Nick and the 8:12 “The End of History” that brings up classic Dio and Manowar sandwiched into epic aural oblivion.
When reverence and respect are at the heart of any metal band, the results can be chilling. “Fire on the Mountain” is the debut album of 2013- and quite possibly could start another revolution for the epic/ classic/ traditional metal movement. The main struggle may be getting consistent output from the quintet due to their numerous obligations with other acts- but whenever the next release hit the streets, rest assured it will be highly anticipated and welcomed based on this superior effort.
Matt Coe, HMS
msc2471@comcast.net
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