Album Review: Unleash The Archers - Abyss
Reviewed by Tim Finch
Unleash the Archers are fairly new to the British heavy metal consciousness, although their history spans back thirteen years to 2007 and their formation. Thrust into the limelight just last weekend during the European Metal Festival Alliance live stream, they are now at the forefront of everyone’s minds, just in time for their new album to be (pardon the pun) unleashed!
Their third offering for Napalm Records, and fifth album in total, ‘Abyss’ will undoubtedly take the band to the next level in terms of musicianship and popularity amongst the fan base. For this album is majestic!
Touted as a mix of traditional heavy metal, power metal and even melodic death metal, the new album certainly ticks the first two of those boxes. Opening ‘Abyss’ with ‘Waking Dream’ the listener is softly introduced to the band, Brittney Slayes vocals softly rise from the darkness, the driving force behind this introduction the music taking a back seat as Brittney’s powerful voice takes charge. As the music crashes in like a tidal wave on the listeners ears the vocals get stronger, the power behind them meteoric.
It's following this that the album steers towards the bands power metal roots, title track ‘Abyss’ following on seamlessly, synth backing joining in and building the atmospherics. The title track a seven minute ramble through the story the band portray complete with anthemic, fist pumping chorus of “heys” that will translate to the live arena so well.
‘Legacy’ demonstrates the progressive elements the band have to offer, musically pushing the envelope – almost Dream Theater-esq in their delivery. Whilst ‘Return To Me’ bounds along a romping power metal anthem with the growling backing vocals adding an extra dimension to the bands delivery.
‘Abyss’ will thrust the band into the entire heavy metal world’s consciousness. With its mix of powerful vocals and expansive heavy music it’s hard to find a single fault with recording. Power metal fans rejoice, for this album is near faultless.
