Not long after their superb debut LP in 2021, BLAZON RITE are back with their 2nd full length tome of epic Heavy Metal, via Gates Of Hell Records on April 14th.
Pounding into life with uplifting riffs and booming drums, the sense of triumph and adventure is immediate and surges with energy. Equally impressive are the soaring solos and gut-heaving vocals which are delivered with total power. Blazon Rite’s sound is strong and clear-cut with tasty bass lines coming through the scolding riffs to give a warm and vibrant presence to the songs. Softer moments such as on “The Fall of a Once Great House” give dynamic and atmosphere without losing momentum. The songwriting is clearly going to hold up well here. As with the first record, there is an incredible sense of groove that lends to the anthemic nature of their music and builds to these monolithic slower tempos which are perfect to bang your head to. It definitely seems the return of Blazon Rite is on top form from the earliest moments of this record.
Upholding the heroic and mighty mood and equally fantastical sound up, Blazon Rite smite their enemies with crushing Heavy Metal. Accompanied by a stunning production and enchanting album cover, “Wild Rites and Ancient Songs” is a perfectly worthy successor to its predecessor. Each song has its tale and triumphs but together a tapestry of boldness and excitement is woven to majestic effect. Ravenous riffing storms every castle keep while the rhythm sections batter down boundaries, meanwhile the vocals soar across the lands. Everything feels torn from a magical storyline that is gripping to witness and imagine with such a superb soundtrack to paint the picture. Although the atmosphere is impeccable, you will still find yourself pounding your fists with ecstatic wonder to the sheer classic fury of their sound. A splendid middle ground to be in.
Although following in the footsteps of “Endless Halls of Golden Totem”, there is a definitely more dynamics and bold sonic adventuring happening here, though without discarding the phenomenal identity they carved. It just feels like they have taken what they did best and run further afield with it. There is still a consistency but we get more of these fearsome faster sections and doomy moments to not get stuck in the rut of just a single pacing. This adds moments of woe or urgency to the skull-splitting soundtrack, accentuating its epic and cinematic nature tenfold. Prepare to be won over by Blazon Rite if you are a new listener, or have your adoration reaffirmed if you’re not. Either way, this is a truly grandiose and glorious album.
“A new quest every day”. Blazon Rite continue their mystifying journey of Heavy Metal might that is a pleasure to be embark on with them. May their reign continue and future albums meet the impeccable quality they have set thus far. “Wild Rites and Ancient Songs” is a real victory.
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