In the cursed year of our lord 2020 A.D., Greyhawk spread their mighty wings and bestowed upon us one of the finest power metal albums in recent memory, Keepers of the Flame. Filled with a warrior spirit reminiscent of Thundersteel era Riot and a healthy helping of Yngwie Malmsteen flavored guitar solos, Keepers was a stunning example of a US power metal band adopting the euro power metal ethos and succeeding. Not only that, but it left me wanting more. Little did I know they’d keep me hanging a whole 4 years. What’s the deal guys?!
Now admittedly, the Greyhawk dudes get around, or should I say fly around? Bassist Darin Wall and guitarist Rob Steinway are currently busy with power metal supergroup Glyph, whose debut album, Honor. Power. Glory., I should probably get around to exploring. I’m not exactly sure what the other members are up to, but I’m sure they too keep busy when the Greyhawk machine isn’t busy cooking up killer old school metal bangers for maniacs like you and I to feast upon. And let me tell you something: We’ve got a full course meal on our hands with their latest album, Thunderheart.
From the opening rampage of “Spellstone”, I braced myself for what I expected to be another gloriously over the top power metal affair. Everything from the melodramatic vocals and picturesque lyrics to the valiant riffs and neoclassical solos screamed “Mad With Power Fest attendee fever dream”…which is why I never could’ve expected the turn this album ultimately took. Whereas Keepers is a full fledged power metal outing, Thunderheart shifts gears towards a moody brand of melodic metal that stylistically lies somewhere between Dio, Armored Saint, and Sumerlands.
Whether it be the enchanting “Ombria (City of the Night)”, hook-heavy “Rock & Roll City”, or obsidian coated “The Last Mile” (not to be confused with the Cinderella classic of the same name), Greyhawk cranks out retro metal that sounds straight off a Stranger Things episode, and largely succeed. Close your eyes hard enough and you can see yourself at a packed Dio show circa ’87, a bandana tied around your head and cheap weed in your pocket. The bellowing vocals of frontman Rev Taylor add a unique edge to the music, as does the underlying arena metal atmosphere and the occasional presence of lush AOR synths. While this musical 180 is most definitely surprise, it is at least a pleasant surprise by my estimation.
Those longing for the power metal attack of Greyhawk’s debut will be pleased to know their pleas haven’t gone unanswered, as the band throws in the obligatory battle hymn in “Steadfast” and absolutely galloping “Sacrifice of Steel”. In the same breath, a handful of power metal outbursts does not a power metal album make. This is some wonderfully nostalgic traditional metal, and I’m here for it. No matter where Greyhawk flies to next, there’s no doubt it’s bound to be exciting and unpredictable. Let’s just hope their next voyage takes place before 2028!
7 out of 10
Label: Fighter Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Riot, Dio, Sumerlands