Stormlord
Supreme Art Of War
[Last Episode]
Written in the inside booklet: "Stormlord Plays Extreme Epic Metal
Exclusively", I couldn't agree more.
Stormlord play music of epic proportions, inspiring the listener to grab his or her nearest demon blade and rush out on the battlefield to do battle against the Christian armies.. or at least grab the nearest kitchen knife and rush out in the front yard to attack the nearest Jehovah's Witness.
Combining aggressive guitar work, similar to a power metal style, although heavier and done in a more harsh direct attack. The bass is prominent (surprise!), technical, and well played, the bassist obviously wants to be noticed on this recording but knows enough to add and heighten the music instead of getting in the way. The drumming is blasting, short bursts, all out rage, or well timed precision beats, further adding to the experience and not just serving as a filler. The vocalist is crazed, his voice giving off sick war screams while a symphonic backdrop layered with excellent musicianship combine into one for a truly aggressive yet melodic experience.
Stormlord incorporate every instrument they can get their hands on for this release, throughout the album you will hear flutes, violins, symphonic keyboard melodies, classical guitars and they also use a full battle choir in a number of the songs. These are not just petty novelties, over or under used to add to otherwise boring music, as stated before, Stormlord are excellent musicians and expert artists, the classical guitar whether alone or blending with more modern instruments is expertly done and effectively used, the violins are not romantic and filled with loving themes, rather add to the music's epic atmosphere, the flute plays seamlessly along with the music, neither distracting the listener from the other instruments or being buried beneath them. The keyboards are used very well, not dominating, adding to the music in ways other bands should take notice to, keyboards are over-used today but not always well-used, this another area Stormlord excels in. The vocalist parts only for brief instances from his crazed war screams to deliver very well done death metal vocals that aren't brutally boring nor weak, as well as a semi-clean vocal industrial vox approach.
Consisting on eight songs, including two instrumentals, the album starts off great with -Where My Spirit Forever Shall Be-, this song is one of the very best on the album, displaying some of the best bass performances on the album. -Sir Lorial- is a fast paced instrumental, leaving most melodies to the keyboards except for brief flute interludes, while the drums lead a blasting onslaught. -Of Steel And Ancient Might- is the most aggressive of the album, although later in the song the music is enhanced with a number of flute melodies, other than that, the keyboards are the only retreat for the symphonic at heart.
Simply put, -Supreme Art Of War- is brilliant, an epic masterpiece that combines elements of both aggression and melody and forging them together for a truly war inspiring experience.
Personal Favorites: Where My Spirit Forever Shall Be; Age Of The Dragon; War (The Supreme Art); Immortal Heroes; Of Steel And Ancient Might
© 1999 alasdor
Stormlord play music of epic proportions, inspiring the listener to grab his or her nearest demon blade and rush out on the battlefield to do battle against the Christian armies.. or at least grab the nearest kitchen knife and rush out in the front yard to attack the nearest Jehovah's Witness.
Combining aggressive guitar work, similar to a power metal style, although heavier and done in a more harsh direct attack. The bass is prominent (surprise!), technical, and well played, the bassist obviously wants to be noticed on this recording but knows enough to add and heighten the music instead of getting in the way. The drumming is blasting, short bursts, all out rage, or well timed precision beats, further adding to the experience and not just serving as a filler. The vocalist is crazed, his voice giving off sick war screams while a symphonic backdrop layered with excellent musicianship combine into one for a truly aggressive yet melodic experience.
Stormlord incorporate every instrument they can get their hands on for this release, throughout the album you will hear flutes, violins, symphonic keyboard melodies, classical guitars and they also use a full battle choir in a number of the songs. These are not just petty novelties, over or under used to add to otherwise boring music, as stated before, Stormlord are excellent musicians and expert artists, the classical guitar whether alone or blending with more modern instruments is expertly done and effectively used, the violins are not romantic and filled with loving themes, rather add to the music's epic atmosphere, the flute plays seamlessly along with the music, neither distracting the listener from the other instruments or being buried beneath them. The keyboards are used very well, not dominating, adding to the music in ways other bands should take notice to, keyboards are over-used today but not always well-used, this another area Stormlord excels in. The vocalist parts only for brief instances from his crazed war screams to deliver very well done death metal vocals that aren't brutally boring nor weak, as well as a semi-clean vocal industrial vox approach.
Consisting on eight songs, including two instrumentals, the album starts off great with -Where My Spirit Forever Shall Be-, this song is one of the very best on the album, displaying some of the best bass performances on the album. -Sir Lorial- is a fast paced instrumental, leaving most melodies to the keyboards except for brief flute interludes, while the drums lead a blasting onslaught. -Of Steel And Ancient Might- is the most aggressive of the album, although later in the song the music is enhanced with a number of flute melodies, other than that, the keyboards are the only retreat for the symphonic at heart.
Simply put, -Supreme Art Of War- is brilliant, an epic masterpiece that combines elements of both aggression and melody and forging them together for a truly war inspiring experience.
Personal Favorites: Where My Spirit Forever Shall Be; Age Of The Dragon; War (The Supreme Art); Immortal Heroes; Of Steel And Ancient Might
© 1999 alasdor