I think I’ve reviewed more epic metal releases for this site in the past 2 months than I have in the past 2 years, which is quite fine by me. I’ll gladly take a band attempting their best Manilla Road or Cirith Ungol as opposed to the copy/paste Priest and Maiden clones, who are thankfully starting to fall by the wayside. Today’s featured band doesn’t sound like exactly Manilla Road or Cirith Ungol, but they do capture the thrilling excitement and musical exploration associated with these bands and their respective era. They are Blazon Rite.
I’m not sure what’s in Pennsylvania’s water, but whatever it is has been responsible for churning out epic metal warriors for years. Lest we forget that, prior to relocating to San Francisco, The Lord Weird Slough Feg (whose twin axe assault is apparent in the guitar stylings of Blazon Rite) were formed here. There’s also Morgul Blade, who topped our 2021 “best of” list with their incredible debut, Fell Sorcery Abounds. Blazon Rite holds their own among the ranks, unleashing a battle-ready offering of epic power-speed on their sophomore outing, Wild Rites and Ancient Songs.
From the opening minutes of “Autumn Fear Brings Winter Doom”, Blazon Rite makes it apparent that melody is key, yet without sacrificing the steely bombast and sheer power of their niche. The twin guitars are absolutely locked in and singer Johnny Halladay’s bellowing vocals are a welcome departure from the usual Halford wannabe screamers in the traditional metal realm. “Salvage What You Can of the Night” is a straightforward, fist-pumping, old school anthem, while “The Fall of a Once Great House” sets the epic tone for the rest of the album, opening as a gentle, unassuming ballad and closing as a full blown Manowarian hymn.
As Wild Rites and Ancient Songs progresses, Blazon Rite’s songwriting and musical chops continue to flourish. “Mask of the Stormborn Riders” is fast and ferocious, boasting the unrelenting attack of classic US power metal. The title track is majestic in delivery, with triumphant melodies, menacing riffs, and again, those booming vocals that round out the package so precisely. Dare I say there’s also some pseudo-folk metal leanings akin to Slough Feg? “Troubadours of the Final Quarrel” cranks the speed dial to overdrive, while “The Coming Tide of Yule” marries epic, power, and speed metal in one last, victorious hurrah.
Although Blazon Rite doesn’t strike me the same way as Morgul Blade or Gatekeeper, they are a force to be reckoned with to all who call themselves old school headbangers. Guided by fantastical lyrics, battle-ready riffs, and an unhealthy obsession with all things epic, Blazon Rite are bound to forge their name, not just into the annals of epic metal of the 2020s, but epic metal for all eternity. They’re adventurous and daring enough for those who prefer their metal on the swords and sorcery side, yet forthright and anthemic enough to grab your run of the mill Priest/Maiden/Saxon purist. Everyone’s a winner on this heavy metal battlefield!
7 out of 10
Label: Gates of Hell Records
Genre: Epic Heavy Metal
For fans of: The Lord Weird Slough Feg, Manowar, Lavaborne