ALBUM REVIEW: Templar – Conquering Swords

Swedish heavy metal knights Templar offer their debut album. Set for release via Jawbreaker Records on February 27th.

Old school cinematics open the record with an epic and triumphant atmosphere that surely informs us of our fate; battle is coming… The melodic guitars rip into life with snappy drums and a really warm bass tone; the ideal mix for a heavy metal onslaught. Galloping into a lively groove to be met by some unique and eerie vocals I am certainly captured and bewitched by the opening moments and their promise of an epic adventure. While keeping this strong pacing, the dynamics allow plenty of variation to keep from stagnating. Soaring guitars certainly add to the fantastic spirit of the record and it does not take long to hear this will be some top shelf stuff. The best word to sum up their performance is lively, there is a very electrifying touch to this performance that feels like the band have really locked in as a unit to deliver their very best. The vocals have this really cool character which remind me of Alex Savage from Witch Cross. Combining this with the well forged instrumental steel; a recipe from total fury. Importantly, the bass lines are actual bass lines; something to rock and crush alongside the guitar riffs rather than monotonously underline them. Equally the solos feel like they’ve had some effort put in and capture the vibes of the songs they rip through. It’s early doors, but I am convinced by the starting moments of this album and expect the rest to be unfaltering.

Sometimes you can just hear when a young band is flowing with creativity and a swarming mass of ideas. The volatile and exhilarating mix of songs here definitely gives me that impression. Feeling like an unearthed dusty LP from some obscure Swedish record store; Templar encapsulate all that a heavy metal band is supposed to be; tough, loud, rocking and epic! Sweden has many of my favourite classic bands from Heavy Load and Gotham City to Axewitch, Wizzard, Onyx, Mindless Sinner, Jonah Quizz, Torch and so on. Equally impressive is their modern output with bands like Century (whose frontman and chief axeman mixed this very album), Tyrann, Helvetets Port, Lethal Steel and the like. Templar are another supreme example of the country putting forth truly high quality heavy metal all these years later. In the vein of all the bands I just mentioned, Templar feel unafraid of their own creativity, some moments are janky and unusual but that simply adds to this feeling like its own beast rather than a rehash of their forebears. These lads know what they want to do and they’re doing it damn well.

There is no denying Staffan’s amazing recording captures the band’s essence perfectly. Everything about the mix sounds extremely powerful and has a real lively feeling to it. There is plenty of breathing room to crank the volume and the organic balance does not turn into muddy slop. Everything holds its ground superbly and it’s stunning to hear as you push the levels. Temple of Disharmony’s Patrick mastered the record to ensure maximum power and that promise is certainly delivered. This thing lights a blazing inferno of melodic, charged and strong heavy metal that is timeless and yet feels both nostalgic and fresh. As much as their early Swedish influences are very proudly worn on their sleeves, there’s touches of NWOBHM and USPM too which ensures the total classic heavy metal package is dropped with megaton force, did I mention the Running Wild-esque “Shipwreck”? Don’t worry Germany, you weren’t left out. Following their demo tape and 7″, the growth from the band has been steady and clear. Plus demo tape, 7″ EP then 12″ LP – that’s the proper running order for a discography. Magnificent work.

A compelling, fearsome and truly adventurous record of epic Swedish heavy metal. Some bands just nail what it is to play classic heavy metal while others fail to get it. Templar definitely gets it. “Conquering Swords” is the type of album you need to hold, on an analogue format and crank the hell out of it. Perfectly balancing the powerful sound that could easily fill an arena with the gritty charm of an underground band finding their spark. Waves of high-voltage guitars and bass ride waves of monolithic drums and get pierced by a singer whose personality shines through, this is a band who have found their sound on their debut album and nailed it. I can only expect great things from these warriors of iron. Heavy metal as loud and authentic as it gets with bewitching songwriting and atmosphere to boot; Templar have made their mark.