The blackened speedpunks known as Wraith don’t just make killer music that you should totally be on board with; they’re genuinely killer dudes too. It’s always a great time bumping into these guys at shows, shooting the breeze about nerdy metal stuff with fellow metal nerds. I can’t remember which show it was, but I remember bumping into guitarist Jason Schultz early this year. He, knowing my love for all things traditional and melodic, proceeded to tell me about his new project in this vein, describing it as something I’d “totally dig”. Perhaps I’m paraphrasing, but I digress.
Lo and behold, this week sees the release of The Sibylline Age: The debut full length from Schultz’s “other” band, Idol Throne. And if you’re going into this expecting to hear anything remotely similar to Wraith, don’t. Sure, Idol Throne incorporates some speed and thrash into their sound as well. But whereas Wraith makes this their central focus, they’re merely undertones for Idol Throne, who are far more invested in spreading the gospel of prog, power, and traditionalism through lengthy suites and technical flair. Have I got your attention?
Oddly enough, The Sibylline Age doesn’t come off as a mere 80s rehash, but rather a 90s obscurity from an 80s band who was still trying to play that sound in the 90s. It’s the same comparison I used to describe Crossing Rubicon’s Perfect Storm within the AOR realm. I can’t find the exact word to describe this sound or ethos, but enough of you hard and heavy aficionados will catch my drift. Despite its length (a little over an hour), The Sibylline Age flows rather smoothly, with not one sleeper to be found. The band unleashes their power-thrash attack early on with cuts like “Unholy Warrior” and “Sacred Fire”, which channel the likes of Metal Church, Flotsam and Jetsam, Riot, and Jag Panzer, among others.
The midtempo assault of “The Labyrinth” comes off as power metal to mosh to, while the ultra melodic and anthemic “White Wolf” most certainly caught my attention. By the time we get to the instrumental voyage that is “Last Full Measure”, the prog metal influence becomes more than apparent. The riveting “Crown of Fools” and grandiose title track highlights the prog-power amalgamation as well. Ironically, the only “oddball” on this entire release is my choice cut, “Raven’s Blade”. With its dark riffing and sinister midsection, the only terminology I can use to describe it is Mercyful Fate gone thrash.
From a listener’s perspective, there really isn’t anything about The Sibylline Age that I’d change. If you’re not into prog, power, or any other of the “uncool” aspects of traditional metal for that matter, chances are you’ll not dig this to begin with, but for what it is, it excels. The songwriting is rock solid, the musicianship is through the roof, and while neither Schultz nor co-guitarist/vocalist Martin Bowman are no Warrel Danes, their vocals convey just the right amount of passion to hit the fantastical lyrics home. These kings don’t sit idle upon their throne, nor are they capitalizing on aesthetic for scene points. The power within their metal is the real deal!
7 out of 10
Label: Stormspell Records
Genre: Power/Progressive/Thrash Metal
For fans of: Sanctuary, Flotsam and Jetsam, Metal Church