My dear children of the night might understand what I am going to say. In the 1980s there was a kind of generic Metal that some bands used to perform when they wanted to get the attention of a larger audience. It was a combination of those most known Metal music features as the high-pitched vocals. Many bands while looking to develop their musical signature relied on that kind of Metal as a strategy. It is a natural thing, if you know what I mean. Before creating one’s own musical signature, one must learn how to. There are so many bands to address here and I do not want to be rude with them quoting any of them here. Ironies of life apart, many years later, maybe as a result of the years apart, I have been receiving a great deal of bands whose music addresses to this generic Metal. The matter is not that simple, though, I do not mean they are mere copycats, but the golden age of Metal music is the great reference to them, therefore, their music trying, consciously or unconsciously, emulating it.
Ok, then, Templar “Conquering Swords” is one of them. I do not mean any disrespect by that because, between you and me, I guess it is considered a great honor to be recognized an inspiration of the great age of Metal music. With “Conquering Swords” it is clear that Templar built their music relying on the greats, without, however, being similar to any of them. I mean, in the album my dear children of the night will find that there are many bands to address as references as, for instance, the great Loudness with “Exiled in Fire” or Iron Maiden with “The Sorceress.” By the way, ballads as “The Sorceress” are a great example of what I am trying to say. This kind of song that commences with guitar strummings with the Phaser pedal and goes in a crescendo is typical. Even the lo-fi mood of “Gates of Angmar (Intro)” addresses back to the good old studios full of the (de)effects of low budget recordings. Besides that, the Iron Maiden inspired “Trident“ is one of the best songs of the album. Galloping guitars are always a hit.
“Conquering Swords” is an album for Metal music addicts with no surprises or changes for the changes’ sake what, from where I am standing is always a great thing. As a band, Templar have a prone to the grand and ambitious and their music reflects this with tracks as title track “Conquering Swords.” The more important thing is that they are not ashamed of playing the music they love. That’s enough for me.
Templar “Conquering Swords” will be released on February 27th via Jawbreaker Records.
Track Listing:
- Gates of Angmar (Intro)
- Witchking
- Excalibur
- Rainbow’s End
- Exiled in Fire
- The Sorceress
- Trident
- Shipwreck
- White Wolf
- Conquering Swords
Watch “Conquering Swords” official lyric 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!