Kev Rowland
This is the debut full-length album by Volture, who were formed five years ago by bassist Ryan Waste (Municipal Waste) and guitarist Nick Poulus (Cannabis Corpse) who had a shared love of NWOBHM inspired music. Depending on your viewpoint one could call this traditional metal, but in many ways NWOBHM is a much better tag to hang on these guys, as to say that bands such as Diamond Head (particularly), Trespass, Raven and Tygers of Pan Tang have had an influence is an understatement. But, one thing I have found rather strange with this album, is that for some reason it is lacking somewhat in the lower frequencies, which is a bit strange given that the bassist is one of the co-founders. Jack Bauer also has a voice that is very reminiscent of those heady days thirty years ago, with a style that isn’t as polished and pure as one would normally expect from a metal band in 2013.
Within “Brethren of the Coast” there is a small passage that is pure Iron Maiden, and it is elements like that this that have gradually warmed me to the album overall. If I had reviewed this after just playing it once I know that I would have panned it as I just couldn’t get into it at all and in many ways just couldn’t get the point of it at all (I ate and breathed NWOBHM as I was 16 in ’79), but the more I have played it the more I have liked it and while I could never say that this was essential I have at least now been able to enjoy it and it makes me smile. Although I’m not really sure if that was what the band were hoping for.
Very much music from a time gone by, and although that scene was a grounding for some great bands they have all moved on, and in many ways this seems very dated.