AMETHYST made an astonishing entrance in the Traditional Heavy Metal scene back in 2022, when they released their EP ‘’Rock Knights’’. They have stated clearly from the very beginning that their intentions were to revive the sound and the feeling from 1979 -1981 NWOBHM era and they have done an amazing job, achieving that goal, in their initial self presentation.
So the question was, if they would be able to keep up with that momentum, that made quite an impact on the scene and granted them popularity, recognition and slots for live performances in well known traditional heavy metal festivals.
The answer comes now, quite quickly, with their debut full-length album.
AMETHYST not only continue where they left off, in their EP, but they are moving forward, establishing their name and unfolding all their outstanding musicianship.
The album is comprised of eight marvelous songs, that are real NWOBHM ‘’killer’’ songs. So the known ‘’motto’’ has a real meaning here. Only ‘’killers, not fillers’’.
It has made a great impression to me that they managed, to encapsulate all that feeling and vibe of the 1979-1981 era, in such a genuine way, with great authenticity, without sounding not even a bit pretentious or even trying to just copy some already known beloved musical patterns of that time.
All their compositions / songs / tracks, call it what you may like, bring all this familiar cherishable best NWOBHM moments to the listener’s ears so beautifully, that it really feels like that you have put an old record, from that time, on your record player and you are listening to an actual gem that it was released 45 years ago.
Yes, the production is so warm and organic, that is a real charm and does its ‘’magic’’ for the album, to feel like the good old days back in the time.
The songs as I already mentioned, are all mesmerizing, full with hooking melodies, catchy galloping riffs and inspiring solos by Yves and Ramon. It’s feels so good to listen such melodies, that stay in your mind and you can also sing them, after the listening of the album.
Frëddy’s haunting passionate voice combines emotion and melody with heavy metal dynamics, delivering an outcome that is full of a delightful energy. I also got fascinated by the vivid bass lines and the wholesome sound that it carries the bass of Miguel Sanchez. The rhythm section is harmonically accompanied by the splendid and colourful drumming of Eldo.
As far as influences are concerned, all the best representative elements of the genre are present. Starting from early IRON MAIDEN, DIAMOND HEAD, moving to DEMON, ANGELWITCH, SAXON, then arriving to ‘70’s JUDAS PRIEST and finally immersing in THIN LIZZY’s or BUDGIE’s music. The most important occurrence though, is that AMETHYST seem to have assimilated all these influences, producing something authentic on their own.
It’s not difficult for the majority of metal fans, who will listen to the album, to realize, that here we are dealing with one the best releases of the year, that will be definitely included in many ‘’Best of 2024’’ heavy metal lists.
As I clearly witnessed listening firstly to their EP a couple of years ago and now to their full-length album, the gauntlet has been thrown down, AMETHYST have boldly raised it and accepted the challenge, to establish their band as one the best in the scene of Traditional Heavy Metal and keeping the flame of NWOBHM sound alive.
‘’Throw Down The Gauntlet’’ will released on the 27th of September 2024 by No Remorse Records and will be available on LP and CD.
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Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
