Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths
Release Date: 26th April 2024
Label: No Remorse Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal.
FFO: Malokarpatan, Moonlight Sorcery, Mercyful Fate, Stormkeep, Bathory, Tribulation.
Review By: Rick Farley
Inspired by the arena style heavy metal bands like early Dokken and the Scorpions, as well as heavy influence from black metal legends Bathory, Philadelphia Pennsylvania’s sword bearing Morgul Blade released their second full record Heavy Metal Wraiths, on April 26th, 2024, via No remorse Records.
Comprised of highly infectious old school heavy metal hooks and dark dungeon attitude, Morgul Blade is a snarling blackened throwback to the glory days of headbanging classics. A catchy yet nasty mix of power chords, black tinged, thrashy heavy metal riffs and gobs of Tolkien lore makes Heavy Metal Wraiths an epically fun listen. Frosty black metal and groove laden heavy metal. Count me in.
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Will Mellor at Red water Recording, Heavy Metal Wraiths sounds just like the good ole days of uncompromising heavy metal power. Tight, crisp guitar tones, warm bass and chunky drums all come together for an instantly classic sound.
So, let us put this rager on, fire up a D&D game and slay a few thousand Orcs.
Heavy Metal Wraiths kick things off with Eagle Strike, with instantly recognizable guitar melodies that will stick with you like the goblin cleaver stuck in Orc chieftain, Bolg (movie version of course), that leads into crunchy galloping riffs battle tested for hair slinging violence. The vocals are reminiscent of Jeff Walker from Carcass, which in turn means they are harsh but intelligible. The extreme vocals feature throughout the record but remain essential to this being as memorably savage as it is. This track fully captures the amalgamation of first wave black metal and traditional heavy metal. A little thrashy, loads of memorable guitar licks, sharp tones and raspy harsh vocals take you on a harrowing journey through the Misty Mountains.
Beneath the Black Sails draws more inspiration from the arena metal bands with a thumping bass and groove filled drumbeat. A mid-tempo, battle cry that ramps up the intensity with searing black metal tremolo picking worship halfway through. The track closes out with a dark and mournful dungeon synth that fleshes out the overall feeling of lives lost during a great siege. Lord Klauf’s blackened growl feels vicious but somehow accessible, Jimmy Viola rumbles the low end with fist pumping vigour, the sharp ragged guitar riffs from Sister Midnight are ever attacking and Will Spectre pounds the drums with a sturdy heavy metal foundation.
“We Bastards! Betrayers! We weary, wretched Souls!
Usurpers! Kingslayers! Until we sink below.”
Heavy Metal Wraiths is a constantly weaving beast of compelling musicianship, solid songwriting, and extremely enjoyable blackened heavy metal. There are two take it or leave instrumentals here, but nothing that detracts from the album. While the songs are cool, there is a sameness throughout the album that could become a little stale after a while. Just a thought, but no reason not to check out Morgul Blade right away. Horns up!
(3.5 / 5)
