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EXCALIBUR
"Volando Hacia el Infierno" (Fighter
Records; 2022)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Let me get the disclaimer out of the way right here at the top. This review may be affected by the fact that I don't speak any Spanish and Excalibur's "Volando Hacia el Infierno" is entirely a Spanish-language album.
Okay. Now that we're done with that, let me tell you that "Volando Hacia el Infierno" is a pretty engrossing heavy metal album. It's got the driving guitar riffs and leads, the thundering drums, the explosive bass, the atmosphere-making keyboards. The songwriting in that epic style that we'd expect from Ronnie James Dio, Judas Priest or Black Sabbath. As far as I can tell, the lyrics are equally as epic, or at least the lead vocalist makes them sound that way (again, as I mentioned at the top, I understood very little of what they were singing). By the way, the album cover is pretty epic as well.
The only problem with the album is that the production is a little murky, especially the vocals. This album would sound so much better if everything were brighter, crisper, clearer. Instead, it's a little muddy throughout the entire running time. You can monkey with your equalizer (as I did) to try to bring the sound out but, like me, you probably won't have much luck.
The murky production isn't enough to ruin the listening experience here—you can still tell that Excalibur is a talented band and that the music is quite good—but you'll be aware of it as you listen.
Bottom line: I look forward to hearing more from Excalibur and I just hope the production improves next time out.
For more information, check out http://www.fighter-records.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2022 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
