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I wrote a gemlog about my favorite new album of 2020 (new was unfortunately omitted from title) and in the conclusion I mentioned that despite being my favorite new release I had another favorite but had been released prior. That album is: The Revenant King by Visigoth.
Visigoth is a Power Metal band from Utah. The Revenant King is their 2015 debut album and my favorite of theirs. I found them in 2020 while on an active pursuit to find more metal bands. It bangs. Each track brings something to the album and it never gets stale. They even managed to have a cover song - Necropolis (Manilla Road) - fit smoothly without feeling forced or out of place. I would say it's weakest track is Creature of Desire. But that is remenicent of 70s hard-rock / proto-heavy metal songs like Rainbow's "Do You Close Your Eyes" if it was just... more metal.
The Revenant King
Dungeon Master
Mammoth Rider
These are the FIRST THREE tracks on the album, which is a double edged battle axe. The album doesn't "get worse" they just lead with their best.
I wanted to keep the list to a top 3 and Vengeance fell just short. I would bump Dungeon Master off for it, but I love the cheese of it and Mammoth Rider. If you can listen to Mammoth Rider without the urge to stomp around during the chorus let me know :)
A heavy metal staple this album is rife with dualing guitar solos, harmonizing their riffs and solos. It's especially notable on Dungeon Master.
The lead vocalist has a great voice, smooth and powerful. He is able to deliver some cheesy lyrics while keeping up the epic facade really making you believe you're fighting along side these warriors. He isn't exactly Ronnie James Dio, or Bruce Dickinson but who is?
I am by no means well versed in Power Metal. But what I look for in my fantasy power metal is story telling. This contradicts some of my other statements how I don't really listen to lyrics. But I find power metal musically is a storytelling genre. It just also happens to have sweet guitar solos. This isn't necessarily unique to the genre, but I feel it's a larger part of the genre.
Finding this album couldn't have come at a better time. With lockdown and quarantine I was looking for escapist music. My number one track was actually Run Away with Me - Carly Rae Jepsen (I'd say it's an underrated album, but that album alone has more listens than all the bands tracks I've spotlighted here COMBINED). Listening to songs about fantasy battles and realms helped me turn my brain off. Turns out I listening to Funeral Doom Metal makes you sad?
This album was the definitive favorite of my new discoveries in 2020, and one of my favorites of all time I feel. I wish vinyl releases were easier to come across.
Next time you're in your friend's mom's basement and bust out your level 13 lawful neutral half-orc barbarian put this album on. You won't regret it.
Do you have any power metal recommendations? What was your favorite discovery in 2020? I'd love to hear!
Thanks for reading \m/
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