When Smoulder released their debut album, Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring, in 2019, I was absolutely hooked. Not only was it my second favorite album of the year behind Traveler’s self titled debut; it was the finest offering within the “power doom” niche of the ’10s aside from Atlantean Kodex’s output. Their amalgamation of bleak riffage, enthralling arrangements, and truly epic lyricism made for one outing. It was a failsafe formula if there ever was one. And yet, via interviews and personal conversations, the members of Smoulder expressed not just the desire, but the need for creative growth.
Specifically, Smoulder seemed eager to move away from the doom metal realm. I understood their concerns. Unless you’re spicing it up with epic and power metal tropes like they did on Times, there isn’t much you can do with doom metal that hasn’t already been perfected by Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Trouble, and so on. It’s a one-dimensional genre that, when done right, hits a sweet spot. Unfortunately, 9 times out of 10, pure doom metal is a swing and a miss. Hence why Smoulder doubles down on these aforementioned epic and power metal-isms, and then some, on their latest album, Violent Creed of Vengeance.
As an overall unit, Smoulder remains efficient as ever, each member playing off of each other’s intricacies. Vocalist/lyricist Sarah Vincent bellows fantastical lore with the conviction of Messiah Marcolin circa ’87. Guitarists Shon Vincent and Collin Wolf lay down arcane riffs and heroic solos in the vein of Denner and Shermann. And the rhythm section of Adam Blake and Kevin Hester (on bass and drums respectively) are always ready for battle, whether it be a midtempo epic or a full speed assault. Not only are the band’s performances finetuned to perfection, but the production is aptly old school and the songwriting remains as thrilling as ever.
The epic metal onslaught is made evident on the opening title cut: A morose, pummeling hymn that’s riveting from beginning to end. The rampaging “The Talisman and the Blade” blurs the line between US power metal and 80s speed, a wild headbanger of vast proportions, while the ripping “Spellforger” sounds like one of the faster cuts off Trouble’s Psalm 9 (Think of they read Moorcock instead of the Bible). Speaking of Moorcock, the groundbreaking writer himself makes an appearance on “Victims of Fate”, delivering a chilling intro narration before the band unleashes pure retro power metal bliss.
There are tinges of doom in “Midnight in the Mirror World”, as well as the closing “Dragonslayer’s Doom”, but even these moments are not as blatant as on the debut, with the doom referring more so to the atmosphere than the riffs themselves. Let me put it this way: Violent Creed owes far more to Manilla Road and Manowar than it does Candlemass and Sabbath. It’s a natural creative evolution if there ever was one, and more than welcome in my book. The Smoulder of 2023 is the same Smoulder of 2019 at the core. They’re only stronger, deadlier, and further enraged. Beware their vengeance!
9 out of 10
Label: Cruz del Sur Music
Genre: Epic Heavy Metal
For fans of: Manilla Road, Eternal Champion, Fer de Lance