Year : 2022
Style : Heavy Metal , Power Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 110 mb
Bio:
Formed in late 2018 by guitarists Jason Schultz (, ) and Martin Bowman (), Idol Throne is a band with a sonic mission and vision; the blending of elements from U.S. Power, Bay-Area Thrash, Neoclassical and Traditional Heavy Metal, combined with a progressive sense of songwriting and a strong focus on melody.Joined by drummer/percussionist Aaron Grove () in early 2019, and vocalist Jake Quintanilla (, Berith) in 2020, the band made the most of the extended downtime caused by the global pandemic and recorded demo “Proof of Life” in the Fall of 2020, which saw release on streaming platforms January 1st, 2021. The 3-song recording serves as an introduction to the band’s sound, and as a small taste of what to expect on the upcoming debut LP "The Sibylline Age", to be released in July of 2022.Guided by the ethos of “vintage-modern”, the sonic footprint of the record hearkens back to an era defined by organic punch and an electric, live energy translated from the recording studio to the recorded medium. The result is an album that truly stands out and takes the listener on a journey through the storied past and boundless present of heavy metal.With the addition of bassist Trevor Kuta () in the Winter of 2022, and a full docket of live performances scheduled throughout the Midwest, Idol Throne is poised to become a name to know in the modern heavy metal scene. Midwest Power/Thrash est. 2018.
Album:
Recorded during 2021, the debut album by Idol Throne brings with it a challenge. How do you define it, for it is an album that draws from such an expanse of influences that it’s almost impossible to throw it into any genre pot? Formed in 2018 in Highland, Indiana, the obvious and potentially lazy way to describe the band is a combination of traditional metal blended with power and speed metal, with the odd bit of progressive metaling thrown in for good measure.What is for certain is that this a well-crafted, organised and performed release. Yet I can quite easily see why it won’t be for everyone. The muscular riffs and the soaring vocals of Jake Quintanilla sit comfortably in the traditional metal sphere. The songs weave through a journey that emphasizes their ability to switch from blistering thrash to epic neoclassical metal in the blink of an eye. ‘The Labyrinth’ is but one example, the song switching tempo multiple times as it rattles along.There’s plenty here for most self-respecting metal heads. Whether it be the heads down thrash approach on ‘Crown of Fools’ or the dramatic, progressive title track that concludes the album in style, all 11 and a half minutes of it. The musicianship is impressive, the interplay and construction of the songs working in tandem and achieving solid results. But there’s a but coming.My biggest challenge, ironically in a time when most people’s attention span is that of a three-minute song, is the length of the album. At over an hour in length, it’s a commitment to sit down and work through it. Good, I hear you say, do your due diligence. And I have. I’ve listened to this album seven times before writing this review. And apart from ‘Crown of Fools’ and the title track, it’s been a challenge to recall any of the other tracks. Now, that may be more about this senile old fool’s memory than the quality of the songs, which I’m not knocking in any way. But I really wanted this album to grab me and throw me around the room. It doesn’t, apart from the title track which is a real workout and something which the band should be truly proud.You may think this review has presented two separate views. And you’d be right. As I said, I cannot fault the playing or the songs. It’s the lack of anything above the average on the majority of songs that caused me the issues. And I regret that, for Idol Throne possess talent enough. It’s evident within this record, despite my misgivings. And yet, the spark is sadly absent for much of the record. Solid yet unspectacular is the best I can say. I’m sorry. I wanted more.
Line-Up:
Jake Quintanilla Vocals (2020-present) - See also: ex-Monolith, Mind's Horizon, Terminal XI
Jason Schultz - Guitars (lead & rhythm) (2018-present) - See also: Wraith, ex-Monolith, Mind's Horizon
Martin Bowman Guitars (lead & rhythm) (2018-present) - See also: Farwatch, ex-Quietus, Visionary, ex-Testimony
Trevor Kuta Bass (2022-present) - See also: Xenopredator
Aaron Grove Drums (2019-present) - See also: Acidic Assault, Axxios, Miles on Foot, ex-Forgotten Legion, ex-Wraith
production:
Mixed by Lukas Roth at Lukas Roth Sounds
Mastered by V. Santura at Woodshed Studio
Cover art by Mark Erskine at Erskine Designs
Graphic Design/Layout by Chris Petkus
Produced by Martin Bowman and Jason Schultz
Tracklist:
01. A Tale Untold (00:01:25)
02. Unholy Warrior (00:06:00)
03. The Labyrinth (00:04:11)
04. Sacred Fire (00:06:08)
05. White Wolf (00:04:52)
06. Last Full Measure (00:07:54)
07. Crown of Fools (00:07:06)
08. Raven's Blade (00:06:54)
09. Power and Control (00:05:11)
10. The Sibylline Age (00:11:31)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
