Last night, on a half-asleep phone call with a good friend, Heavy Load arose in conversation, which led to some interesting observations. Yes, even with my eyes closed and mind wandering off to the subconscious realm, I remain in Martin Popoff mode, so to speak. I was asked which American band could best be viewed as a counterpart to Heavy Load, to which I said Manowar. While both bands pursued their own unique brand of metal, they can also be pinpointed as the respective ground zero in their native land for what would come to be known as power metal. Sure, acts like Rainbow and Scorpions played a part in the development of power metal, but it was Heavy Load, with their obsession with swords, battle, and other fantastical themes, both lyrically and musically speaking, who properly established the groundwork in Europe.
Why all this talk of Heavy Load? Well, besides the fact that they rule, there’s a growing crop of Scandinavian bands today who draw less from the well of Priest and Maiden and more from the well of Heavy Load, the most prolific of the bunch being Century. Today’s band in review, Templar, can also be added to the mix, with their debut full length, Conquering Swords, essentially speaking for itself. Just get a (heavy) load of that beautiful Frazetta-esque cover! Tying it altogether and helming the production for this maiden voyage happens to be none other than Century mainman, Steffan Tengnér. Like the songs says, “It’s a small world!”
After the obligatory epic synth intro that is “Gates of Angmar”, “Witchking” sets the stage for this love letter to the FWOSHM (First Wave of Swedish Heavy Metal, for those unaware). The twin guitar harmonies play off each other like two swords clashing in battle, frontman Isak Neffling bellows his heart out against a barrage of valorous Scandi riffs, and the production is just raw enough to give the feeling this album was recorded in ’84. On blinding high-power speedsters like “Excalibur”, “Rainbow’s End”, and “Exiled in Fire”, Templar nail the aforementioned Heavy Load vibe, when Swedish heavy metal was morphing into what we know today as power metal. Sonically, these songs occupy the same proto-euro PM space as not just Heavy Load, but also Stormwitch, Mindless Sinner, and early Pretty Maids.
As the album progresses, Templar prove that they’re more than just a speed-obsessed, one-trick traditional metal pony, broadening their palette with a dark, moody piece like “The Sorceress” or the nautical “Trident”, the latter of which could pass as a lost Under Jolly Roger era Running Wild song. “Shipwreck” further explores these proto-pirate metal leanings, before “White Wolf” and the title track bring this album to an epic close. Although “Conquering Swords” utilizes the same “battle hymn” formula we’ve been subjected to since the days of Heavy Load and Manowar, it’s executed in such a manner that makes sense as the album’s title cut.
Though Conquering Swords could be viewed as a pompous title for a band’s first album, in the case of Templar, it’s an accurate descriptor. These rising Swedes, who weren’t even so much as a thought when Heavy Load released their debut, Full Speed at High Level, in ’78 (and whose parents probably weren’t even so much as a thought back then either) show a greater understanding of their forefathers’ sound and spirit than many in their scene already. If this is their initial strike, we can only sharpen our swords in preparation for album #2!
8 out of 10
Label: Jawbreaker Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Heavy Load, Century, Running Wild
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