Recent Reviews

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Last Pharaoh: The Mantle Of Spiders
Last Pharaoh - The Mantle Of Spiders Music Review

Last Pharaoh: The Mantle Of Spiders

Heavy Metal
4.5/5.0

Facebook
Pure Steel Records
Released: 21.09.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.09.2018

Last Pharaoh may be a new band, but the members have a vast amount of musical experience. Most every player established his musical career at a very young age. For instance, Ed Shelinsky started playing drums at eight years old; guitarist Ron Toth, as a youngster, began with a clarinet, but quickly changed to guitar when he heard the riffs to Alice Cooper's School's Out. With vocalist Tommy Santangelo and bass player Michael James, all four members cut their musical teeth on classic heavy metal and hard rock. Hailing from Westchester County, New York, Last Pharaoh drops their debut long player, The Mantle Of Spiders for Germany's Pure Steel Records.

Last Pharaoh Band Photo Click For Larger Image

Last Pharaoh

Essentially, Last Pharaoh plays classic, keep it true, heavy metal with nods to influences such as Iron Maiden, Saxon, Queensryche, and Crimson Glory, among many others. Examining the musical elements of the players and the songs, their metal is quite guitar-forward. Toth's rhythmic riffs and daring leads are a large focus in any composition. Honestly, Toth is an exceptional guitarist. His guitar solos are devastating and creative, blistering and soaring. But that's not to diminish the strength of the rhythm section which delivers formidable power and groove. Santangelo is your classic heavy metal singer, with a range from aggressive to atmospheric, often in the same song, yet always remaining clean and melodic. Needless to say, as much as their music is guitar-centered, all these elements define a Last Pharaoh song, and no song would be complete without the foursome in full compliment, working together.

As for the songs, you'll find the speed and gusto of power metal with Into The Darkness and The Longer Headless Horseman. With Machinic Non-Conscience, you'll find Last Pharaoh's metal to be heavy, but maybe quirky and polyrhythmic in approach. Alternatively, both Psychohouse and Deadly Dreams offer distinct rock groove from the rhythm section. A song like Desert Dreams is largely a riff and lead extravaganza from Toth, but the fingerprints of his fret work are found everywhere on this album.

All in all, Last Pharaoh and The Mantle Of Spiders is the real deal: classic heavy metal with a terrific guitar presence made creative, relevant, and entertaining for this generation. Easily recommended.



CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

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

The Bottom Line

Last Pharaoh and The Mantle Of Spiders is the real deal: classic heavy metal with a terrific guitar presence made creative, relevant, and entertaining for this generation. Easily recommended.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Lionville: Supernatural Album Review

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]