Let’s start with a question: after all, what do MORGUL BLADE play?
Well, we could call it Blackened Epic Heavy Metal – but it’s not just that. Versatility is what MORGUL BLADE are all about and they have already proved it with their debut, 2021’s “Fell Sorcery Abounds”. So, if you liked their first mix of epic/heavy melodies, black tinge to the vocals, some guitar tremolo here and drum blasting there, all sprinkled with a vintage dungeon synth vibe, then you will definitely enjoy MORGUL BLADE‘s sophomore album.
Believe it or not, “Heavy Metal Wraiths” has come out to prove that MORGUL BLADE are VERY serious in what they decided to bring on to the metal world; and that’s simply their brilliant mix-and-match perspective of creativity.
They aren’t as powerful as AIRACOBRA are, nor they sound as complex as later SATAN’S HOST do, but they somehow remind both of them, bringing also NITE to mind; still, truth be told, Lord Klauf (vocals & guitar), Will Spectre (drums & production), Jimmy Viola (bass, guitar and keyboards) and Sister Midnight (lead guitars) have managed to create their own, distinct sound.
They use all the tried and tested arsenal of classic heavy metal as heard on songs like the pounding opening track “Eagle Strike, the multi-faceted “Neither Cross Nor Crown” and the catchy self-titled “Heavy Metal Wraiths”. However, the blast beats in “Frostwyrm Cavalry” as well as in “Beneath The Black Sails” and “Razor Sharp”, give a heavy dose of blackness to the album. An ideal marriage of the band’s influences is perhaps found in “Spider God” – a bit of everything, without it sounding bad at all, on the contrary, it convinces of MORGUL BLADE‘s compositional ability and discrete musical identity.
Of course, together with the above we have the dungeon synth intermission of “A Welcoming Hearth” and the similar outro “The Last In A Line Of Kings” but also the very interesting “Widow’s Lament”, a really nice expedition of vocals and humming.
To wrap things up, let me just say that this is a somewhat special album. It can displease some fans of epic/heavy and traditional black sound, even though it supports and uses both genres. However, MORGUL BLADE seem determined to make their mark on the metal idiom. And they do it with courage and boldness, without fearing anything. Are they successful? Yes, they are – just listen to their new work and you will be convinced!
“Heavy Metal Wraiths” will be released on April 26th by No Remorse Records on all formats – CD, LP and digital.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre order both CD and LP here.
