Decent of the Serpent
Whoever said that British Heavy Metal has past its best has obviously not heard Forged in Black. Taking its musical cues from the likes of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, this five piece band have made a powerful case to be considered as musical heirs to the Metal Gods.
The band consists of Chris ‘Stoz’ Storozynski on Lead Vocals, Andy Songhurst and Chris Bone taking guitar duties, Kieron Rochester on Bass and Vocals and Kev Rochester on Drums. The result is an ultimate powerhouse of metal.
The title track begins and it could hold its own against the likes of Judas Priest’s Painkiller. The twin guitars giving that distinctly NWOBHM feel, duelling with lightning solos throughout the song. It doesn’t just stay in one place though, it progresses, and the middle section of the song switches completely with a more modern thrashier feel. Not leaving its roots for too long though, it quickly flips back to that classic sound. It continues these duels throughout the song and I for one absolutely love the combination.
Another stand out song on the album is ‘Vendetta’. Starting with a slow droning guitar, think early Black Sabbath, that then grows into absolute power thrash, but that Sabbath like guitar drone continues over the top. Add to that, quite possibly the best falsetto metal screams since Rob Halford and you have some idea of the magnitude of this track. The song comes full circle and again the thrash guitar departs, leaving us with that Sabbath like drone that plays us out.
The album is well and truly a nod to those heavy metal gods, like Sabbath, Maiden and Judas Priest, but it isn’t just stuck in the past. It is a modern powerhouse album, a metal masterpiece you might say. I would love to hear more from Forged In Black and I look forward to hearing their next musical offering.
