Album Review: Incursion - The Hunter
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Far too often bands that really should have rested where they crashed and burned decide to make fateful comebacks which fall by the wayside. That isn’t the case with Floridian heavy metal outfit Incursion. Having been active for a mere four years between 1982 and 1986, original members Maxx Havick and Michael Lashinsky on guitars with Buddy Norris on drums reunited in 2018 and recruited Stone Jamess on bass and Steve Samson on lead vocals.
The result is their long overdue debut, the six-track EP ‘The Hunter’ and if you like your heavy metal served the traditional way it should be very appealling. ‘The Hunter’ is a concept and tells the story of The Hunter, well, what else, who is born in a war-torn land and destined to fight for survival since birth. Mastering inner demons through faith, battle, and revenge. His blade leads him through chaos to his final struggle with the false king. In his quest to become the King of All the Land, The Hunter’s journey is ageless, but almost forgotten.
Eating at the same table as the likes of Grand Magus, Night Demon, Enforcer, Visgoth and Spirit Adrift, Incursion provide a muscular, spirited showing which demonstrates the ability of the band in great style. Soaring vocals, ripping speed metal with driving rhythms, ample riffing and powerhouse drumming, there is plenty included in this six song package to enjoy.
Divided into six parts, the EP opens with parts I and II, ‘Prologue’ and ‘Warrior of Destruction’ and it’s here that you really start to get a feel for the band. Solid in tempo, Samson’s vocals are clean and powerful with a decent range and there are riffs aplenty. If you enjoy the robustness of the mighty Cirith Ungol or the NWOBHM flavours of early Diamond Head, Angel Witch and Tokyo Blade, then you should really enjoy ‘The Hunter’. The duel guitar harmonies work neatly, giving the band extra depth.
Lyrically it’s all a bit sword and fantasy, but that has long been the domain of the traditional metaller and it’s no bad thing. ‘III – Guiding’ shows the band can build a song, with a rather tasty hook and an epic feel. ‘- Fade To Black’ changes the pace, switching between speed and power metal song which echoes the early power of Raven, before we arrive at the brooding ‘V – Kingdom of the Dead’, the penultimate track and the conclusion of this heroic saga.
With a full-length record planned for 2021, Incursion may well be one of the few bands whose resurrection so many years later is well deserved.
