Grand Magus Wolfs Return
Rise Above RISECD60 2005
By Patrick Walsh
Grand Magus managed to craft quite an excellent collection of doom monoliths on their last effort, Monument. Leaning towards the stoner end of things gave vocalist/guitarist JBs voice plenty of room to weave his frankly epic tales of swords, warriors and battles. Cheese it may have been, but it was bloody powerful cheese nonetheless. Wolfs Return shifts the musical direction of Grand Magus into more full on heavy metal territory, and the stoneresque feel of Monument has been banished into the wilderness for the most part it seems.
Kingslayer opens proceedings and is noticeably more uptempo than perhaps anything on Monument. JB sings as passionately as ever, his voice a little less affected by doom leanings than before, as he unleashes those high notes with aplomb this time round. Thankfully, the abandonment of the doom-rock found within Monument for a more heavy metal approach means that JBs vocal range is allowed extend in breadth, and his vocals are, as always with Grand Magus, the highlight. Its not until the title track arrives that we are reminded of the crushing doom of old, and even herein it flits effortlessly between a dirge-like crawl and all-out chugathon.
It must be confessed, however, that whilst Wolfs Return is sure to satiate those seeking an epic, unflinching exercise, those of us who saw Grand Magus as a kind of stoner-doom trio with a penchant for the Viking in us all might find Wolfs Return a little disappointing. However, JB has repeatedly stated that he views Grand Magus as a metal band through and through (even if just to distance himself from his stint with Spiritual Beggars), and with riffs like that found on Repay in Kind its difficult not to like this album. Wolfs Return is indeed metal; a full on, wonderfully crafted collection of crushing metal songs. If that sounds right up your creek, then Grand Magus are sure to keep you banging your battle-scarred fist well into the winter.
8/10
Official Grand Magus Website
Official Rise Above Records Website
Rise Above RISECD60 2005
By Patrick Walsh
Grand Magus managed to craft quite an excellent collection of doom monoliths on their last effort, Monument. Leaning towards the stoner end of things gave vocalist/guitarist JBs voice plenty of room to weave his frankly epic tales of swords, warriors and battles. Cheese it may have been, but it was bloody powerful cheese nonetheless. Wolfs Return shifts the musical direction of Grand Magus into more full on heavy metal territory, and the stoneresque feel of Monument has been banished into the wilderness for the most part it seems.
Kingslayer opens proceedings and is noticeably more uptempo than perhaps anything on Monument. JB sings as passionately as ever, his voice a little less affected by doom leanings than before, as he unleashes those high notes with aplomb this time round. Thankfully, the abandonment of the doom-rock found within Monument for a more heavy metal approach means that JBs vocal range is allowed extend in breadth, and his vocals are, as always with Grand Magus, the highlight. Its not until the title track arrives that we are reminded of the crushing doom of old, and even herein it flits effortlessly between a dirge-like crawl and all-out chugathon.
It must be confessed, however, that whilst Wolfs Return is sure to satiate those seeking an epic, unflinching exercise, those of us who saw Grand Magus as a kind of stoner-doom trio with a penchant for the Viking in us all might find Wolfs Return a little disappointing. However, JB has repeatedly stated that he views Grand Magus as a metal band through and through (even if just to distance himself from his stint with Spiritual Beggars), and with riffs like that found on Repay in Kind its difficult not to like this album. Wolfs Return is indeed metal; a full on, wonderfully crafted collection of crushing metal songs. If that sounds right up your creek, then Grand Magus are sure to keep you banging your battle-scarred fist well into the winter.
8/10
Official Grand Magus Website
Official Rise Above Records Website
