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Angel Martyr: Black Book Chapter One
Angel Martyr Black Book Chapter One CD Album Review

Angel Martyr: Black Book Chapter One

Traditional Heavy/Power Metal
4.0/5.0

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Iron Shield Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 02.03.2017

Angel Martyr, sounds like a contradiction in terms. Actually, the Italian power trio wrote the song, and then, in 2010, took the song as the band name. Angel Martyr arrives with their debut, but not necessarily a new, album Black Book Chapter One. This disc was preceded by a three song demo and a four song EP, and all seven songs are here. There's an added intro, of sorts, called Obsequies (funeral rites) and one new song, On The Divine Battlefield.

Angel Martyr Band Photo

Angel Martyr

Angel Martyr rock things old school playing classic heavy metal akin to the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal and its various derivatives. The songs have a speedy tempo pushing them into the power metal zone. But the essential elements remain: melody and harmony whether by guitar lines or vocal arrangements, numerous soaring guitar solos, and a steady, yet galloping, rhythm section. Tiziano Sbaragli aka Hammerhead does double duty as both vocalist and rhythm and lead guitarist. To the former he's kind of hard to understand, but he also likes to go sky high screamo, yet without being ear-piercing harsh. His leads are solid as well, ripping and roaring in the classic heavy metal style.

As mentioned earlier, the songs are generally fast-paced and speedy, with some occasional tempo variations. Within a song such as Eric the Conqueror that comes in the way of an acoustic guitar segue in the center and in an outro at the end. Similar is the new song, On The Divine Battlefield, which begins with bagpipes and then the acoustic segue arrives about the five minute mark. Mostly, Angel Martyr and their heavy metal can distilled down to three basic elements: speed from the galloping rhythm section, then riffs and solos. And it only takes three guys to do it.

All in all, Angel Martyr knows their chosen genre quite well, and with Black Book Chapter One delivers an adequate and pleasing platter of classic melodic heavy/power metal, which fans of the same will enjoy. I suspect there'll be a Chapter Two in the works. Recommended.

Angel Martyr - Turn On The Fire



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The Bottom Line

All in all, Angel Martyr knows their chosen genre quite well, and with Black Book Chapter One delivers an adequate and pleasing platter of classic melodic heavy/power metal, which fans of the same will enjoy. Recommended.

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