Armagh – Exclamation Po!nt
Reviewed By: Denis Bridger
Review Score: 9.5
Formed in 2012 (and hailing from the mighty Warsaw, Poland), Armagh are set to release their third album, Exclamation Po!nt. I have to be honest, when I saw that Hawkwind are an influence on the band, and especially the bass player Tom Cultcommander (classic metal name!), I was instantly hooked. I am a massive Hawkwind fan, and one can easily here the influence on the bass on this record.
Within Armagh, you have it all: NWOBHM, all your favourite metal bands from the 70s and 80s, and a familiar-yet-unique vocal style that is immediately comforting. In general, this album has the feeling of all things that one would love in a hard rock band. Armagh have been through some line-up changes since the last record, with Galin Soulreaper being the only original member. Exclamation Po!nt follows the style of 2022’s release Serpent Storm, and I am confident Exclamation Po!nt is going to make an impact in metal circles. Armagh have found their groove on this record and it is a blinder.
Having lived in Poland for more than a decade, I am familiar with the music scene and it is quite unique. Pop music has not been so well embraced like in other countries and the market is not oversaturated with auto-tune (not yet, anyway). There is, and has always been, a thriving underground scene in much of Poland. This is likely due to Polish musical history (a very interesting thing… if you are interested ) and alternative music has always been a force to be reckoned with. I can remember seeing pictures of Polish metal fans in the 80s in Metal Hammer, where the politics at the time were a great breeding ground for angry people to express themselves though music, and that tradition has continued to this day. Even the fact that Chopin is still so respected shows us what a truly musical nation Poland is. It is the perfect place for such bands, allowing for bands like Armagh and any emerging artists to hone their art, build a fan base, and get ready for the greater world.
Armagh are also credited with starting the “First Wave Only” movement, which connects Polish bands playing old school metal (bands such as label mates Gallower, Sexmag, Torpor, Wielki Mrok, and R.I.P.). Bands like Vader and Behemoth, who are now legends in the field, have both become two behemoths (mind the pun) in the realm of metal, which has opened doors for bands such as Armagh, and hopefully many others, to kick down some walls and put Poland firmly on the map. If Behemoth and Vader are too heavy for you, then Armagh might just be your cup of tea. You are in for a real musical treat with this release.
ROUGH EDGES
Exclamation Po!nt opens with ‘Rough Edges‘, a thrashing metal song of classic proportions with driving bass lines, which is a theme of this record (the bass is very prominent throughout the album). There are classic riffs at every intersection, big drum fills, and very warm vocals that have an Ozzy feel and sound.
This song is half thrash and half hard rock. The lower-fi production, which, I assume, is not by accident, gives this song and the album a special feel. To be honest, when the first couple of bars came in, I thought the production was not up to scratch and I think that is due to many bands having such high production standards. When a band like Armagh come about, it may seem inadequate, but it really isn’t. As the band bio states, “less is more.” In this case, the under production adds a special quality, giving it a very warm, authentic 70s sound and feel.
MASTERS OF TIME
This is the first song that is really reminiscent of Hawkwind and bands of that ilk and. In fact, the ‘Masters Of Time’ could very well have been a Hawkwind title. I think this could be one of my favourite songs (and we are only two songs in). It has a mix of Black Sabbath’s ‘Megalomania’ vs Hawkwind’s ‘Spirit Of The Age’ along with ‘Motorway City.’ Clocking in at seven minutes, it truly is an epic piece of work.
AFTERMATH
Almost immediately I was struck a NWOBHM vibe, with a touch of early Iron Maiden. The song has some excellent riffing, basslines, and fantastic drumming. Galin Soulreaper’s vocals are perfect for this sound and I particularly like his tone. Quite simply a great track. What more to say?
BETWEEN THE SIDES
Right out of the gates, this song is heavy on drums and bass, which serves to drive the pummeling rhythm relentlessly forward. Galin absolutely puts his heart, soul and emotion into this track. I really can’t put my finger on it, but, as mentioned earlier, the mix on this record is completely unique to the ears. The production really grows on you. There is something very emotive about this song, particulary with the phrasing of Galin’s vocals, which are mezmerizing. This is another new favourite (I think there will be a few by the end of this review).
THE PORTAL
The song opens with a grunge-like riff. The bass is particulary heavy (as has been the case thus far) and drives the song on to be another excellent track. I’m not sure what it is, but this track makes me think of Jethro Tull (this is another reason to love this band… but that could just my ears). Another banger of a tune with lots of different components and a cornucopia of classic rock.
RAPID STR!DE
Another track that doesn’t disappoint. The song definitely moves at a heavy stride with the drums marching forward full-on. The track is slow, yet at times becomes fast and heavy (work that out, if you can). I bet these guys are a great live. It makes me want to move back to Poland just to catch them onstage.
THIS !S NEW A
The first thing I thought of when the track kicked in is The Police‘s ‘Message In A Bottle’ (give it a listen and you’ll see why). That being said, it very quickly changes into that classic heavy rock that Armagh do so well. A steady track that again reminds me of Jethro Tull and Hawkwind, but obviously a lot heavier. This track has actually grown on me over listens and has just got better with time. Lots of time changes during this track keep things interesting. It really picks up the pace in the last third of the track, morphing into a frenzy of drums, droning guitar and bass, and those ever impressive vocals.
ENOUGH FOR NOW
The final track, ‘Enough For Now’, which, I guess, is appropriate for the last track, isn’t really enough. That said, they saved one of the best tracks just to make you crave more. It’s another thrashing, hard rocking number with pounding drums and is a fine track to finish on. A banger of a tune to ends things off.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At first listen, I thought it was a bit short. Upon further thought, back in the day when classic rock was fresh (and not yet classic), the albums were not so long… it was as much as you could fit on a round piece of plastic, basically. So, with that in mind, maybe less is more. If it isn’t quite enough, you’ll just have to listen again, won’t you? Who needs fifteen songs anyway, eh?
This is a very warm record and gets better with every listen. As the band continues to evolve, without compromising their sound, there are definitely many more great records to come. Armagh‘s approach is simple: play hard rocking music that feels good and sounds authentic.
The band member names have a touch of humour to them, in that Venom, Celtic Frost vein, but possibly easier to pronounce than their real names. Armagh’s first album, ‘Cold Wrath Of Mother Earth’, was a bit more black metal (well worth checking out ), and their asthetic was a little Venom-esque. With this in mind, maybe Galin Soulreaper took inspiration for the band member names from that period of his musical life. It all adds for good effect, I think.
To sum up, the more you listen, the better it gets. I highly recommend Exclamation Po!nt. Be sure to grab your very own copy when the album drops on March 15th via Dying Victims Productions.