ALBUM REVIEW: Phaëthon – Wielder Of The Steel

London’s PHAËTHON play truly epic Heavy Metal! Following a killer EP back in 2020, their debut album is now here. Set for release via Gates Of Hell Records.

Pummelling drums furiously drive a forceful rhythm into your skull with melodic guitars and bass equally formidable in their attack. Haunting vocals soon join the mix with an ethereal and yet triumphant attack to them, suiting the epic Heavy Metal worship as the blistering leads cut the mix just as effectively. Some of the extremity from Craven Idol (Vrath’s superb Black-Thrash band) definitely carries over for some common characteristics, rendering this an intense listen as well. There is a succinct feeling to some moments where the band goes for a more direct approach, then some pieces weave more adventurous tales with explorative and progressive touches. The mixture ensures attention is held, but also that Phaëthon tries some new things too. From the straightforward pounding to more medieval metallic archaicness, the opening of this record has my full attention with its charmingly cult appeals. Onwards we must quest, for the taste for glory is spreading…

Propelling us further forward, the blend of more viscerally attacking tracks splinter through your shield like a firm axe blade. Forged in an ancient iron, their more aggressive moments are where the band really shine at their brightest. “For The Greater Good Of Evil” is a perfect example of this. Meanwhile the longer songs offer a more ponderous and equally enchanting take on the olden days. Phaëthon does not feel like a one trick pony where they play the same song in eight unnecessary variations, each track is its own piece that stands strong. From the straight rocking, to atmospheric excellence and high-speed action; there is nothing but pure Heavy Metal on display here. I can’t deny a few sections here and there have a certain janky feel to them, but many of my favourite bands (especially the aforementioned Cirith Ungol) can have this critique applied just as validly. It may put off a few, but I think it will have more intrigued by something that simply sounds a bit different from your run-of-the-mill “NWOTHM” band. This is clearly intentional and a commendable asset of the record.

Whether in Craven Idol or Phaëthon; Vrath has a very strong ability with storytelling, not unlike the wonderful Mark Shelton. Both in terms of the lyrics feeling profoundly thought-out and researched but also the emotive delivery to them. This narrative gift adds a huge value atop an already unbreakable instrumental arsenal. From the crawling eeriness to outright battle hymns, there is never a dull moment. As the record ploughs on, one feels compelled to witness its conclusion, as should be the way when an album truly captivates and bewitches you. Funnily enough, I think the further in you get, the better it sounds and makes you just want to listen to the whole thing all over again. It’s almost like they purposefully veil their sound so only those who embark on the entire conquest can truly appreciate it, ensuring a loyal fanbase rather than a fickle mass of idiots. Sonically gatekeeping your own art is an impressive and admirable feat that simply increases my enjoyment of this recording. Speaking of the recording, the mix is warm, classic and traditional which makes the listen all the more enjoyable as it casts arcane spells of a time gone but never forgotten.

Some strong and epic Heavy Metal that harkens back to Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Manowar and Brocas Helm with a melodious and powerful delivery. Some raw and primitive touches come into the atmospheric assaults to give us a dynamic and exciting listen. A bit rough around the edges (how Heavy Metal should be) and plentiful in character, I really like Phaëthon both on here and the prior EP. If you want to go back to a time when this genre was a bit unpolished and yet the musicianship and personality shone brighter than ever, these guys do a pretty damn great job of being a conduit.