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SKELATOR
"Time of the Sword Rulers" (Metal
on Metal Records; 2008)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Skelator's "Time of the Sword Rulers" starts out with a spoken word piece that, for whatever reason, reminded me of the spoken dialogue from "Music from the Elder" by Kiss. But that comparison comes to an end rather quickly as the CD roars into its opening track.
Sounding a bit like Iron Maiden's galloping rhythms blended with Manowar's chest-thrusting swagger and Cirith Ungol's DIY rawness, "Time of the Sword Rulers" plays out like a fantasy-based power metal album roughed up a bit with some thrash sensibility. The guitars are fast and nasty and the vocals run from high-pitched vocals screams to the occasional death metal growl. Lyrically, it's what you'd expect from an album of this type: Tales of great battles, sorcery and the love of heavy metal.
Although it certainly doesn't break any new ground (and, in this genre, why would you want it to?) and the production is a little old school at times, "Time of the Sword Rulers" still kicks some serious ass and, really, isn't that all really need?
Skelator: Jason Conde-Houston (vocals); Robbie Houston (guitar); Rob "Ice Wizard" Nass (guitar); Zach Palmer (bass); Johanson Waymire (drums).
For more information, check out http://www.trueskelator.com or http://www.myspace.com/skelator.
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 © 2009 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
16 Dec 2024 12:46:37 -0500.
