ALBUM REVIEW: Morgul Blade – Fell Sorcery Abounds

The debut album of blackened traditional Heavy Metallers MORGUL BLADE is set to be bestowed upon the world via No Remorse Records on November 26th.

Buzzing synths bring in the 80s vibes with a fantastical yet simplistic intro that sounds more like an Atari than a Heavy Metal band but weirdly works. This subsides into soaring melodic guitars and pounding drum fills which enter us into a conquest of pure steel. Those in-your-face riffs soon ensue alongside grim vocals, which seems to be the main source of the “blackened” part of their sound, alongside some very Bathory-esque grooves here and there. The blend of sounds here is absolutely astounding which some seem to compare to Malokarpatan whom also blend Black and Heavy Metal to grandiose results, however the Slovakian legion lean more into the occult and dark side, whereas Morgul Blade seem to go more for a battle-ready and fantasy fuelled theme both in aesthetic and sound. The overall feel of the instruments is one of triumph after a severe ordeal while the vocals provide a narrative of ancient tales with a well-fitted raspy snarl. Much like fellow Philadelphians Blazon Rite, the Heavy Metal pool of inspiration seems to be the American Epic Heavy Metal bands such as Manilla Road, Brocas Helm, Cirith Ungol and the like. To unleash a blackened variant on such powerful bands is certainly a feat of grand proportions but from the early moments of this record, Morgul Blade seem to be triumphant in their quest.

Aside from fist-pounding heaviness, we see some carefully placed interludes which never overstay their welcome but accentuate the mood and feel of the album beautifully. There is a real knack to those additions where they are an asset, rather than a blockade to the momentum of a record but thankfully here, they don’t cause the marching Metal to fall flat on its face. Cleaner vocals on this album take a more chanting, call-to-arms approach which are sung beautifully and don’t cast a shadow over the nuanced glory of the instruments as they charge along with courage. Something vulnerable and personal is apparent on this album, a certain openness in their emotive passages that really make you feel a part of the journey rather than a spectator, this is one of those subtle yet unchangeable elements of more Epic Heavy Metal that can easily be forgotten and leave a potential fan disengaged. No such downfall occurs here. Even those lacking attentiveness will find themselves fixated on the record with tracks like “Sons Of The Night” which takes great pleasure in concocting a real fusion of gnarly vocals, epic riffing, thundering drums and then out of nowhere surging into blast beats which feel like being trampled underfoot by the hounds of hades themselves.

To call such an album merely epic would be to miss so many essential elements of its sound. Here we see a unique culmination of mysticism, prestige, fury and most of all a feeling of adventure that prevails in its conquest. The cleverly placed moments of darkness and sorrow make the more blazon victories all the more enthralling. The artwork and production cannot be ignore either, with a crisp and unrestricted sound that allows the melodic lead work to cast spells across the rhythmic gallops and warm bass, underlined by superbly executed drumming and those tale-weaving vocals in their varied splendour. A painting that inspires intrigue, dread and adrenaline will enshroud this musical tome to complete the package. Everything feels “right” and incredibly well thought-out which makes the engagement incredibly easy and yet not just for a surface listen. This is a legendary story that you will follow time and time again, never to become repetitive or just a mere background noise, in fact I would definitely say that this is one of those records where you get out as much as you put in. Attentiveness and keen-listening will be rewarded with a plethora of resplendent nuance, while the dull-ear or casual listen may find enjoyment without unlocking Morgul Blade’s true, unbridled potential. What a loss that would be…

This is a daring sound, to take such strong elements and fuse them into something potent, rather than a bland greyish hue of failure is a courageous and bold move. Here we see a band innovate with tradition and do so successfully. As someone who is hugely into both Heavy and Extreme Metal, this doesn’t feel gimmicky nor false, but rather a splendid affair of fantasy and darkness that will have you gripped to the very end, sharing every moment of glory, defeat and excitement with the band. -9/10