Pure Steel Records
www.myspace.com/warcrymetalband
www.warcry-band.de
By Craig Hartranft, 10.11.2010
Putting a finger on Warcry's style of heavy metal may lead to some consternation. Their second full-length release Revenge in Blood is a rather eclectic and convoluted mixture of heavy, thrash, and black metal. The only constant may be fact that Warcry draws from the traditional roots of all three. There's certainly nothing 'modern' about what Warcry is accomplishing on Revenge in Blood.
This stylistic musical conundrum comes just as much from the music as from vocalist The Almighty (is that not metal-ish?) complicated expressions. Herr Almighty can screech, scream, growl, and grumble his way through nearly every heavy metal vocal style. When he hits the screech/scream thing he sounds like a heavy metal Brian Connolly lisp (The Sweet). Yes, I know that sounds weird, and don't read too much into the 'lisp' angle. But listen to the opener Pure Force of Steel or the latter third of Banshee and you'll get it. Most times, however, The Almighty swings between thrash metal roar and black metal growl. Few metal singers offer such versatility, but he seemingly pulls it off (even though he will seem inconsistent to some).
The songs offer some interesting, but inconclusive, variety as well. Pure Force of Steel or Knights of the Dark Blade can steer towards thrash metal. Awakening the Cemetery or Banshee like old school metal with parts thrash and black metal. But then Revenge in Blood is a strange brew. Infernal Triumph is trivial and hardly worth the listen; In Battle for Vengeance nears pure rocking melodic NWOBHM; and, Deathrider (featuring George Call of Omen), the best track, combines that melodic familiarity with a Judas Priest-like accessibility. Generally, if I had to decide, it's probably best to describe Warcy in the college of traditional heavy metal.
Ultimately, with Warcry's heavy metal eclecticism on Revenge in Blood, it's hard to draws a definitive conclusion as to it's significance. Yet, with strength of songs like Deathrider and others, a fan of classic old school metal should certainly explore this work. Several listens will definitely strenthen your appreciation of Revenge in Blood.
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Ultimately, with Warcry's heavy metal eclecticism on Revenge in Blood, it's hard to draws a definitive conclusion as to it's significance. Yet, with strength of songs like Deathrider and others, a fan of classic old school metal should certainly explore this work.
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