After adoring their debut full length, I am pleased to see MORGUL BLADE are back with a sophomore of epic Blackened Heavy Metal. Out via No Remorse Records on April 26th.
Glacial leads and crisp guitars atop rolling drum fills instantly kick in that vibrantly battle-ready feeling that makes Morgul Blade recognisable. Galloping grooves and roaring thunderous kicks bring up the ferocity with those ever-mean blackened vocals and soaring melodies giving equal feelings of USPM might and unforgiving Black Metal savagery. These elements are combined in a way very much belonging to the band, not sounding anything like others who try and combine extremity with tradition. There is some haunting musicianship immediately present and the overall feel is like they are picking up where they left off, which is perfect for me. Production values are tight with everything nicely audible and plenty of breathing room for the atmosphere of the music whether it is hammering aggression of dancing harmonies. Those early moments will have you clenching the hilt of your blade, pumping your fist and banging your head to the Heavy Metal Wraiths.
While it may be expected to newcomers that you are getting some bog-standard NWOTHM, this could not be further from the truth. Although Morgul Blade have those wonderful tendencies to worship at the altar of 80s Heavy and Power Metal, something they do fantastically I might add. There is an abundance of Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Windir and more to their sound which forges those frosty spearheads into the bands more barbaric angles. The merging of the two sounds is done to magnificent effect, giving us a volatile and exciting conquest filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing. This is all based on a foundation of excellent songwriting, that will keep your attention and I expect bring many of you back for more. Getting into the meaty core of this record and the desire to forge onward is stronger than ever. We have come too far and fought too many battles alongside the band. Let’s ride on into the night and see what lays in wait at the climax of this adventure…
Enhancing the experience, tracks like “Widow’s Lament” give the record a truly otherworldly and mystical ambience with the folkish sombreness chilling you to the bone. Couple that with a song like “Razor Sharp” and there is no arguing that this band has a strong vision that they really hammered into something special with the execution. There is something heartwarming here, but also plenty that feels frigid and even morbid at times too. Wherever they choose to take you, this band paints a picture and builds the world around you with their soundscapes of spectral song. The ability to be both haunting and yet conjure a feeling of triumph in equal measure is impressive and used to concoct this vast sense of purpose and what feels like the musical equivalent of an open world adventure. Building on the emotive, powerful range of the bands music and right until the end you find yourself bedazzled by the landscapes surrounding you as each note fires forth a spark of luminescent wonder.
Morgul Blade clearly love Heavy Metal, for me an essential yet somehow overlooked facet of so many newer bands. Secondly they have a magnificent sense of self and the atmosphere they try to create which as a band not doing the most conventional sound is most impressive. Finally, this is just a profoundly enjoyable and gripping record to listen to. Dynamic, diverse and metallic to the bone. Prepare to set out for adventure, the Heavy Metal Wraiths will take you into frostbitten territories of fantasy and enchanting lore while their bewitching music provides the perfect soundtrack for the experience.
For more Morgul Blade related reading, check out my interview with them here.
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