ALBUM REVIEW: Amethyst – Throw Down The Gauntlet

Switzerland’s Amethyst gave us one of my favourite EP’s of recent times only last year. Following some shows, they are back with a vengeance in the form of their debut album. Release is set via No Remorse Records for September 27th. Let’s rock!

We open with the lead single “Embers On The Loose” with its simplistically catchy and rocky rhythms. The plucky riffs and punch bass feel a like the band have ventured further back in time than even their own previous EP. The haunting vocals remain the same, as do the memorable hooks but things definitely feel less heavy than usual on this song. Continuing to harness a more British Heavy Metal feeling is very welcome, something the band have grasped in their powerful gauntlet from day one. There is a majestic yet simplistic way this band combines primitive rhythmic battery with bewitching melodies and those chilling vocal flourishes driven by powerful bass and percussion. Thankfully they have clearly figured that out and keep doing so on their new venture. The more sombre feelings they convey really knock it out of the park though, those melancholic brooding sections giving the album life and dynamics which feel a bit more interesting. After giving us a flawless first EP, the stakes were high, but “Stand Up And Fight” feels like one of the bands strongest songs yet so it seems this record won’t be some rushed slapdash copy of their prior works.

Keeping the energy strong, we forge forward with pummelling Heavy Metal ecstasy. Funnily enough, the first song had me a little worried that some bite was lost but I was very quickly proven wrong by true headbanging anthems the Amethyst way, leaving me feeling foolish for ever being concerned. They clearly have chosen to push the boat out a little more here and there, but thankfully without losing their identity and best assets which remain as strong as ever here. With their previous work, this band instantly became one of my favourite newer bands, so a strong emotional investment in wanting them to keep things killer is definitely present for me. Having seen them dominate the stage and meeting these pleasant rockers a few times, I know this is the real deal. My faith feels well judged as we journey further into the belly of the beast, “Running Out Of Time” blends the bands rocking tendencies with pure NWOBHM steel to a glorious outcome. When a band can hammer out catchy but still fiery music then you know they are onto something special. The underground grit and charm here further confirms them as a worthy torchbearer for traditional revivalists who aren’t simply a cheap gimmick act. It always feels absolutely magnificent to have bands like Amethyst who keep it true.

Building on those primitive pub-ready foundations with bold new ideas can be choppy waters but I think this is about as good of a balance as any band has achieved since those golden days alongside Heavy Sentence, Tyrann, Drifter, Konquest and Century. It’s that something magical in the air that old Heavy Metal has inexplicably got. Well it’s here. The production rules, it feels older than it is which is exactly what you’d want. I can’t say I love the artwork, but I really don’t care when the record in the sleeve is this strong. Still beats the AI junk some bands use! Right until its climax, this record is a gem of fantastic music that remains varied and yet to-the-point. It’s never pretentious yet dares to stroll down some unconventional alleys for a newer band. The more progressive touches are subtle but set it out from the crowd while we simple headbangers can always remain comforted by the inevitable return to some fist-pounding primal rock. The lead work takes some bluesy chops that break things up while befitting the powerful nature of the rest of the music. “Serenade (Under The Rising Moon) is my idea of a perfect way to close an album. With a moody epic that simply makes you want to spin it again, which was my exact reaction after reviewing the record. It is hard not to be totally engrossed by the raw energy and memorable songs that hit with eight strong blows of total fury. Everything sits right in its correct place and I’m ensnared ’til the end.

From the pressures of following a truly wonderful debut EP to delivering your first full length, Amethyst had created themselves big iron boots to fill. But there is no denying “Throw Down The Gauntlet” has achieved it. If you love real, old school Heavy Metal that’s untainted by anything from the modern world, Amethyst will never let you down. Melody and punchy rowdiness are abundant on this rough ‘n’ tumble cut of wax that will have the old school and new headbangers equally ablaze with passion for the rock knights. Hail Amethyst and the traditional metallic cult of old!

Read my interview with Amethyst here!