HARBINGER
DOOM ON YOU (2009)
320 KBPS
Everything in Illinois' Harbinger's debut screams old school heavy metal. For starters, the artwork looks like we're still in 1982, granted, it's not pretty but it fits the content of the album so well that it just works. Then, the production. Raw, dirty, screaming just like Rage or Tyrant early albums did sound and, once again, it fits what this young band has to offer which is pure, raw and uncompromised fucking heavy/speed metal! From "Drivers to Hell" and its fake live intro to "Harbinger", there's not a single note here to help you notice that this is, in fact, a 2009 release.
Surprisingly enough, while so many bands would have sounded like they ripped off the "great all ones" from their riffs and beats, Harbinger remains fresh and display a honesty rarely seen in such a retro act. Even when the band slows things up a bit (on "The Dark Ages" for example) they stay true to what made 80s heavy metal so great: great riffs, great vocals, silly lyrics and killer lead guitars.
What about influences? There sure is an Iron Maiden touch to the guitars and the overall tone of the record leans towards the NWOBHM sound which will please all those, like me, who think that scene gave us the best Metal ever made.
All in all, if "Doom On You" isn't perfect, which is part of its charm by the way, it's a promising and damn entertaining first album those who love Demon's Court in the Act, Angel Witch's ST and the heavier bands from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal should try.
With a better production and an equally good songwriting, their second album might very well be what we've been expecting for so long: a work of art displaying the return to the values of what real Heavy Metal should sound like. Still, this one's already a winner so, what are you waiting for? Get it you fuckers!
Surprisingly enough, while so many bands would have sounded like they ripped off the "great all ones" from their riffs and beats, Harbinger remains fresh and display a honesty rarely seen in such a retro act. Even when the band slows things up a bit (on "The Dark Ages" for example) they stay true to what made 80s heavy metal so great: great riffs, great vocals, silly lyrics and killer lead guitars.
What about influences? There sure is an Iron Maiden touch to the guitars and the overall tone of the record leans towards the NWOBHM sound which will please all those, like me, who think that scene gave us the best Metal ever made.
All in all, if "Doom On You" isn't perfect, which is part of its charm by the way, it's a promising and damn entertaining first album those who love Demon's Court in the Act, Angel Witch's ST and the heavier bands from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal should try.
With a better production and an equally good songwriting, their second album might very well be what we've been expecting for so long: a work of art displaying the return to the values of what real Heavy Metal should sound like. Still, this one's already a winner so, what are you waiting for? Get it you fuckers!
1. Drivers to Hell
2. The Dark Ages
3. Morningstar
4. Black-Hearted Woman
5. Poser Patrol
6. Die for Metal (Live for Death)
7. Blood of Heroes
8. Harbinger
2. The Dark Ages
3. Morningstar
4. Black-Hearted Woman
5. Poser Patrol
6. Die for Metal (Live for Death)
7. Blood of Heroes
8. Harbinger
4 comments:
hey!
just looked through the last couple hundred posts..what an amazing collection of premium music! thank you so much for posting all of this gold, much appreciated!
thanks - steve
Harbinger is from Michigan and Satan released "Court in the Act." : )
I thing you read me wrong... ;)
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