• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

April 2024

• Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
• Praying Mantis: Defiance
• King Zebra: Between The Shadows
• About Us: Take A Piece
• Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories

March 2024

• Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
• Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
• The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
• Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
• Lipz: Changing The Melody
• The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
• Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
• Turbulence: Binary Dream
• Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
• D'Luna: Monster
• Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
• Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help

February 2024

• Traveler: Prequel To Madness
• Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
• Honeymoon Suite: Alive
• Durbin: Screaming Steel
• Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
• Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
• Striker: Ultrapower
• Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
• Robert Hart: Circus Life

January 2024

• Corvus: Immortals
• Caligula's Horse: Charcoal Grace
• Grand: Second To None
• Neal Morse: The Restoration - Joseph - Part Two
• The Rods: Rattle The Cage
• Gotus: Gotus
• Metalite: Expedition One
• Cobrakill: Serpent's Kiss
• Jack Russell & Tracii Guns: Medusa
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 1
• The Grandmaster: Black Sun

[ More Music Reviews ]

Old Season: Beyond The Black

Traditional Heavy Metal

5.0/5.0

Website Facebook Twitter
Pure Steel Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 11.05.2017

The history of Irish metal band Old Season is something not uncommon to many bands. Formed in 2003, the band quickly cut an EP Volume One in 2004, but it would be a long five years before their debut, Archaic Creation hit the streets. Then came the issue of ongoing personnel changes. Undaunted, what members remained spent the time writing songs and patiently auditioning for the positions of vocalist and second guitarist. By 2013, the line up solidified with John Bonham (Vocals), Jimmy Blanchfield (Guitars), Jimmy Kiernan (Guitars), Dave Copley (Bass), Dermod Smyth (Synth), and Anto Walsh (Drums). Now Old Season drop their long awaited second album, Beyond The Black for Pure Steel Records.

Old Season

And it's a pretty good album. The larger musical context of Old Season, perhaps suggested by their name, is classic melodic heavy metal firmly rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal tradition. But being Irish, the gang might bristle at that connection. Nevertheless, when it comes to classic "keep it true" heavy metal there is no old school, or old season, nor are there geographical or generational boundaries. Traditional heavy metal transcends, even trumps, both things.

The essential elements are self-evident in the Old Season sound: twin guitar harmony in riffage and leads, a solid rhythm section to deliver groove and pacing, and clean melodic vocals and harmonious vocal arrangements, with these things wrapped up in an abundance of melody. Put together, in many arrangements, Old Season has a true depth and breadth for that epic heavy metal sound. While riffage is dense, leads soar in a near limitless fashion, not just in solos, as within The Journeyman. The bottom end braces this layer with an equally deep and strong feeling. It's a sound meant to swell and fill whatever space is listening, your head or your local concert venue. Perhaps the best example of these elements gelling together is the parting song Nevermore, where riffs and leads, rhythm and groove, conspire with heaviness and the juxtaposition of moderate to brisk pacing to deliver epic heavy metal.

Additionally, in some songs like Chosen or Rivers Of Cepha, you might sense a bit of a darker doom metal motif. (Perhaps a nod to Candlemass.) The pacing is more measured and moderate in both. In the latter song keyboard player Dermod Smyth finally gets a chance to rise, starting the song with ominous Hammond organ. Yet, his presence is slight across the entire album, with the next notable contribution being the synth orchestration at the start of Words From Beyond.

In the end, I was easily impressed by Old Season's Beyond The Black and their significant command of classic "keep it true" heavy metal. While it brought me back to the early days of heavy metal, the album also felt vibrant and relevant for today. But, as I said before, genuine classic melodic heavy metal transcends both generations and time. Old Season's Beyond The Black is quite recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

I was easily impressed by Old Season's Beyond The Black and their significant command of classic "keep it true" heavy metal. While it brought me back to the early days of heavy metal, the album also felt vibrant and relevant for today. Very recommended.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]