ALBUM REVIEW: Mace ‘n’ Chain – Among Ancient Pillars

The debut album from Swedish epic Heavy Metal entity MACE ‘N’ CHAIN is coming via No Remorse Records on March 24th. Let the conquest begin!

Ferocious riffing with a blackened edge and hi-hats burst into life with a malicious groove that cuts right to the chase with a classic “ough”. The frantic and bordering on extreme nature of the music might be an unexpected start but feels like a great way to plunge us headfirst into action. While the instruments chug along we hear a mix of clean vocals which are quite modern in their delivery and some more old school shrieking. With a very triumphant feeling to everything and some catchy riffing, this is definitely a project born of love for the giants of Heavy Metal’s most over-the-top outputs like Manowar and Virgin Steele but with a very current production more akin to Eternal Champion or Visigoth. I believe the drums to be programmed but they are not lazy, with some great details that lend to the albums chaotic mood. The guitars and bass have a meaty and solid delivery. My only critique production-wise is the vocals perhaps took too much polishing and could have kept more grit. That said, it’s a pretty minor deal and the album still sounds fantastic.

Hailing from Sweden, there was one thing I noticed which I had to ask David about. Sometimes lower guitar chords (especially noticeable on “The Key To Ancient Riddles” which is my favourite) sound like they are going through the Boss HM-2 pedal. Apparently it is a custom pedal but the creator is a lover of Swedish Death Metal’s signature tone. Anyways, it just seemed an interesting and unique sound to hear on a record like this and is not the only nod to Extreme Metal. David’s background in Death Metal is noticeable and gives this pommeling fury to Mace ‘n’ Chain that enhances the urgent battle-ready feel of the record. His use of leads is marvellous with some really soaring solos giving the songs a very grandiose flare. Sometimes using a more shrieking type of vocal that reminds me of 3 Inches Of Blood, these rip through the mix in a way that just feels so damn cool. Having started on full throttle, the developments and moodier touches that progress from that initial frenzy work to weave a pretty intricate tapestry that works to the storytelling angle attempted with a dynamic sound to match.

From galloping grooves to speeding slaughter, Mace ‘n’ Chain has plenty of diversity on show with a very melodic and clean feeling to the majority of the record. I think it is clear to hear that David has developed the quality of his output from the demo (which was cool, but this is much more refined, as an album should be after a demo). I certainly think tons of headbangers are going to love this record for its multi-faceted and joyfully passionate execution. It is not too gruff for newer fans to appreciate but it also isn’t flimsy. Mace ‘n’ Chain definitely fit alongside the likes of Eternal Champion and Visigoth as I mentioned before for their more modern approach on classic and epic Heavy Metal, while perhaps we see more extremity come to the surface here. Old schoolers and youngsters have plenty of value to discover here and I recommend taking a close look at the album cover while you listen. Great work, I look forward to more.

Mace ‘n’ Chain’s debut album is one of those passion projects that slays because it is clearly made with nothing but love for what the artist creates. Hearing old heroes and also influences from newer bands played by a musician more known in another sub-genre of Metal is really interesting and I think he has triumphed. This is a fun and exciting quest to embark upon and I look forward to hear how this project develops because the leap from the demo to the album, in terms of quality, is huge. A very worthy tribute to the Heavy Metal gods David invokes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

https://macenchain.bandcamp.com/album/among-ancient-pillars