ASSASSIN'S BLADE — Agents of Mystification (review)

ASSASSIN'S BLADE — Agents of Mystification album cover Album · 2016 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Time Signature
The demented force of metal...

Genre: traditional heavy metal

Featuring members who are or have been involved in the likes of Exciter, Portrait, Cult of the Fox, Void Moon, and Goatess, Assassin's Blade is a band of seasoned metal veterans. Their debut album "Agents of Mystification" was released earlier this year on Pure Steel.

While definitely traditional heavy metal, the songs on the album have a darker feel than what you might normally expect from this genre. For instance, the title track even features very slight inklings of black metal influence, while the darkly epic 'Dreadnought' could be the satanic kid brother of Priest's 'Metal Gods'. The uptempo 'Transgression' is punky and aggressive. Despite the dark feel, traditional metal fans will be happy to know that there are galloping riffs and twin guitars as well as heavy metal screams and a lot of melody on the album (just check out a song like 'Autumn Serenade').

Given how experienced the musicians involved are, it should be no surprise that the level of musicianship and songwriting is quite high. These guys know their metal, and, while obviously masters at their craft, they understand the power of restraint and simplicity. No solos go overboard and no song gets too technical. Much like the incredibly underrated Tim Owens, Bélanger's vocals combine sneering with heavy metal screams and complement the dark music very well.

"Agents of Mystification" should appeal to fans of traditional heavy metal, speed metal, and perhaps even dark metal. It is a very solid effort and a strong debut by a band consisting of very experienced musicians.
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

The Goblin Sessions Heavy Metal
THEM
Buy this album from MMA partners
Tormenta De Arena Metalcore
VORAGO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Infinite Metalcore
FUTURE GHOST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Heretic Melodic Death Metal
SUNCINDER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Harrowed TwentyTenVideo
HARROWED
Bosh66· 3 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us