A few years back, I reviewed the most recent full length from blackened thrashers Bunker 66, Beyond the Help of Prayers. In the years since, I’ve dived into their catalog and have found them to be quite the hellraising listen, totally nailing that less is more ethos Venom established with black metal’s inception back in ’81. What I didn’t anticipate was that the next time I’d be reviewing from this band, it’d be in the form of a traditional metal alter ego. Yes, you’ve read that correctly: Two thirds of Bunker 66 have traded their spikes and whiskey for denim and magical elixir, forming a new power trio by the name of Temptress.
Upon hearing this info, and in an age where we’ve got thrash bands with death metal projects, AOR bands with power metal projects, and so forth, I said to myself, “Well, this should be interesting. After all, the brand of black metal Bunker 66 specializes in isn’t far removed from the traditional metal era to begin with. What difference will a greater emphasis on melody and control make?” Turns out, ALL the difference. For those anticipating a breakneck old school metal release channeling early speed metal at its purest, don’t. Catch the Endless Dawn, the debut outing from Temptress, boasts zero similarity to Bunker 66 whatsoever.
Instead, Endless Dawn channels a very specific sound and era, fusing the horsepower of the NWOBHM with the majesty of Dio era Rainbow to create a metallic strain that sounds like a precursor to USPM and progressive metal. Cuts like “Woman of the Dark” and “Awake the Enchanter” boast riff patterns and unorthodox arrangements reminiscent of early Fates Warning, yet without ever fully passing that ’80s USPM threshold. Meanwhile, “Beneath the Waves of Fantasia – Breathe the Dust of Time” and “Dream Metal” could pass for lost Armored Saint deep cuts, especially considering the freakishly John Bush-esque vocal delivery of drummer M. Dee.
Unfortunately, the disconnect for Temptress takes place when it comes to putting all these elements together. They’ve certainly nailed the musical finesse and overarching atmosphere to craft a memorable vibe, so to speak. What’s lacking are equally memorable melodies, hooks, and quite frankly, songs. After two run throughs of Catch the Endless Dawn, I found myself more impressed at their grasp of early ’80s metal necromancy than any of the songs themselves, and even as I write this, find myself struggling to hum any particular riff or chorus, which is a huge fixture of traditional metal.
I guess Catch the Endless Dawn is an instance where the sum of its parts IS greater than its whole, which is an unusual scenario this metal album reviewer finds himself in. Perhaps upon their sophomore effort, there will be a sharper focus on songcraft…or we’ll get a proper Bunker 66 full length beforehand, which is something I wouldn’t mind whatsoever. I won’t go as far to say “Don’t quit your day job.”, because Bunker 66 certainly have no shortage of trad metal flowing through their veins. I just find myself gravitating more towards their Venom flavored fare than their Satan flavored flare.
5 out of 10
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Satan