Just how good and revered this album is and will be is not yet known, but there is no doubt that all the elements are there for this to become at the least an underground hit.
“II: Sojourn” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). The Devil Is Here
2). Save My Life
3). Still We Fight
4). Wait On The Wind
5). See My Demons
6). Barrow Hill
7). Chorale
8). Slaves To Righteousness
9). Victory
10). Angel Take Me
The Review:
Undoubtedly the best medieval inspired hard rock band in the North West of England (!) Wytch Hazelare back with this second full length album. They have retained their vintage sound and peculiarly English sense of style on this excellent return. Much like their debut, “Prelude”, the band play very assuredly and with considerable flair; the guitar work is fleet footed and the rhythm section is very tight indeed.
If the band were going for a classic Wishbone Ash crossed with Thin Lizzy by way of Jethro Tullvibe... they have succeeded admirably. Messrs Downey, Lynott, Gorham and Robertson/Moore/White/Sykes (or Bell) would be hugely pleased if they came up with the fiery work displayed on “Save My Life” or storming opener “The Devil Is Here”. The word here is classic: classic sound, well deliveredsongs and timeless in themes and scope.
There are bursts of pace (“Still We Fight”) to go with anthemic choruses. There are mellow and melancholy tracks (“Wait On The Wind”) and not a duff track in sight in the ten on offer here. This is English hard rock of the best vintage (1972-1978) and actually manages to conjure up the wistfulnessthat the aforementioned Wishbone Ash did so convincingly on their classic “Argus” full length.
Just how good and revered this album is and will be is not yet known- it needs more time to bed in than the two weeks I have had it for review; but there is no doubt that all the elements are there for this to become at the least an underground hit. From the lush acoustics of “Barrow Hill” to the instrumental bombast of “Chorale”, the ingredients are here.
Wytch Hazel pursue the same path to its logical conclusion via “Slaves To Righteousness”, “Victory” and the closing “Angel Take Me”. The only possible fly in the ointment for some listeners may be the somewhat spiritual/religious aspect to the record- but it was there on the debut too. It doesn't bother me but you may feel differently; your call.
What we have here, then, are ten tracks of finely crafted English hard rock in the classic style. There are no songs about girls, no songs about cars, only loud guitars and a longing for another, simpler time. Fantastic.
Age of Taurus still have the hunger and riffs to compete with the very best of the genre and the very British delivery elevates them far above their American counterparts
“The Colony Slain” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1. From the Hills to the Halls 2. Taken to the Tower 3. The Trial of Blackwynn Chaise 4. In Dreams We Die 5. The Lost Garrison 6. Beyond the Westward Path 7. For Treason We Rise 8. The Walls Have Ears 9. To Seal a Mountain 10. As Ice Into Blood 11. The Colony Slain
The Review:
Age of Taurus return with their second full length release, some five years after “Desperate Souls of Tortured time”. The Londoner's appetite hasn't dimmed, even if line-up changes have seen metal stalwart Alastair Riddell depart the ranks and the bassist Richard Bruce also leave. The band still deliver doom; no fuss, no branching out- just a very traditional British metal/doom sound.
After a mood setting intro, “Taken to the Tower” brings a surprising turn of speed and the familiarly mournful sounds of Toby W Wright's vocals. The NWOBHM influences are still firmly present here as are the much more downbeat doom stylings- “The Trial of Blackwynn Chaise” being a solid example of the latter.
There is a lot of reverb in the mix this time around, maybe even too much in places, but the quality riffs and arrangements are still easy enough to hear. Amongst the more rocking material, traditional doom can be found (“The Lost Garrison”) and once again, the lyrics and themes are historical, mythical and magical. By the time of “For Treason We Rise”, the album's pattern is fairly firmly established; slow doom intros often abound, faster riffage and galloping rhythms often replace it and the atmosphere is one of melancholy.
Truthfully, there is nothing new here and certainly nothing that you won't have heard, but that is not to say that the delivery is convincing and the performances absolutely committed. Yes, Wytch Hazel are doing this type of stuff with more subtlety- but Age of Taurus are just as effective as on their debut and take on the mantel of bands like Witchfinder General (probably their closest older brother) with deftness and aplomb.
For doom rock in 2018, look no further than this album. “The Walls Have Ears” and “To Seal A Mountain” are solid proof that Age of Taurus still have the hunger and riffs to compete with the very best of the genre and the very British delivery elevates them far above American counterparts trading on occult themes and something to do with biker gang films from the 60's.
The title track closes proceedings with three and a half minutes of convincing NWOBHM flavoured doom- much like the tracks that preceded it. There is much to recommend here and if you like the style of either of the bands mentioned above you cannot go wrong by getting hold of this. Doom on compatriots.
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