I admire the bands that struggle to recreate the magic music from 1980s Old School Heavy Metal because it is not an easy task to do so. One one hand, the technique is simple to emulate, so is the melodic construction of the songs. However, on the other hand, the main problem is not with the music per se, it is with the equipment. As far as I know, and I know very little about the modern gadgets, to recreate this sound with perfection only with the same equipment bands used to have back then. So, same amplifiers, same guitars, same drums kit, and so on. Not to mention the studios. Each one has its own sonancy, believe it or not. The differences between a rereading of the classics and the real deal are subtle to say the least. From where I am standing, a rereading would be the classic sonancy with the addition of some modern features; the real deal is the perfect performance of the classics with only the musical signature of the band. It turns out that some bands’ musical signature is exactly to add modern features to the classic sonancy. We have had both here and I think both are valid. But bands have been working miracles so far, as far as I am concerned.
Well, Sceptor with “Wrath of the Gods” did their best to recreate the atmosphere of Teotonic Heavy Metal as Accept, Running Wild, Grave Digger, Tyrant, and many others did in the past. It is hard to point out all the features involved because the scene was very diverse, but one thing is true; the first initial moments of the album used to denounce the band due to its musical signature. Sceptor sound to be following the same path to acquire a musical signature.
“Intro” gives the fan a hint of what “Wrath of the Gods” is all about, I mean, which gods the album is about as it untangles a Metal cinematic version of old movies about Greek mythology. By the way, this mythology is a constant in the album wityh tracks as “Legion,” “Poseidon,” and “Hades & Zeus.” Iron Maiden’s lessons, as usual, are present with the galloping guitars and the metallic bass tones. On the other hand, Florian Reimann personal tone of voice gives the band its own musical signature. Sceptor also are also prone to the epic and grand as album opener “Legion” tells the fan. “Hades & Zeus” is a bit faster and harder as it is the war between the two gods with the kind of guitar riffs that I love. Florian Reimann’s voice is also a highlight, as it should be. Guitar duo Torsten Lang and Thomas Lieblang does the best here with peculiar guitar tones inspired on 1980s obscure Old School Heavy Metal bands. By the way, they are the best. As we are talking about Iron Maiden, “Slave Of Power‘s” initial guitar intro is clearly inspired on the band.
All the time I hear a band asSceptor I feel a lot of hope and gratitude. Hope because they are keeping the torche classic bands passed; gratitude because our beloved Heavy Metal is alive and well.
Sceptor “Wrath of the Gods” will be released on October 03rd via Metalizer Records.
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Legion
3. Hades & Zeus
4. Slave Of Power
5. Demon Eyes
6. Slow Ride Into The Sun (ft. Nick Giannakos)
7. Eternal Death
8. Poseidon
9. Throne Of The Damned
Watch “Poseidon” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!