Azriel - A Will Of Fire [CD]

Thirty Days Of Night Records

May 29, 2008, 10:37 PM

This is a stonking debut release from these Glasgow lads. This album has that hardcore body to it with fast riffing, strong double kick and those gang shouts. But this album seems to be led by the great guitar licks that seem to sit untouched on top of the mix as if they were the pretty one in a cheesy girl pop group. This album is just lead riff after lead riff and I love it. It’s all about harmony guitars, circle pits and beat downs.

Get a room full of hardcore kids in front of this band and there will be windmills, bicycle kicks and bodies flying everywhere. The one negative point about this album is that the vocals are nothing special. Not bad, but not great. He gets full marks for effort but sometimes it does just sound like someone shouting. A bit more work and I’m sure he’ll be able to tailor himself to sound skilled in his art.

But as I already said, this music is not about the vocals, it’s all about the guitars and tracks like “Never Fade” and “Of Those Who Are Alive” really show that. This album really is great, it’s a bit like avenged sevenfold without the whiney nasally vocals. They also play a lot of riffs in major movements instead of all those typical minor riffs, played in whichever key the band are dropped tuned to, that most metal and hardcore bands use. This gives a happy edge on this album and it’s very rare you hear that from a band this heavy.

Great album. Great debut. This one is sure to get the kids running in circles and throwing their arms and legs in the air in support of this luscious, luscious sound. Great job lads keep it coming.