ALBUM REVIEW – MORGUL BLADE

Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths

Reviewed by: Blake Mossey

Review Score: 7

Morgul Blade, hailing from Philadelphia, PA, USA, presents their second studio album, Heavy Metal Wraiths. The band delivers classic metal infused with elements of black metal. The album conjures an image of the band wielding swords instead of guitars—until the first riffs tear through the silence. Their lyrics are a testament to their love for Tolkien’s lore.

Morgul Blade‘s debut album Fell Sorcery Abounds in 2021 swiftly garnered Album of the Year accolades across the metal scene. After its release, the band cemented its lineup by welcoming guitarist Sister Midnight and bassist Jimmy Viola.

From the opening riffs of the lead track ‘Eagle Strike,’ the influences of Maiden/Priest are immediately evident. The guitar melodies from Sister Midnight throughout the album distinctly echo Maiden. Lord Klauf’s vocals take on a gruffer and more gravelly tone. The band delves into classic black metal vibes, particularly in tracks like ‘Beneath The Black Sails’ and ‘Frostwyrm Cavalry.’ Elements of black metal, accompanied by blast beats, also find their way into ‘Razor Sharp.’

Photo by Dante Torrieri

The band enjoys diversifying their music with various styles to maintain interest. The album features two instrumentals, ‘A Welcoming Hearth’ and the outro ‘The Last In A Line Of Kings’, which concludes the album. Additionally, the track ‘Widow’s Lament’ is slightly over 90 seconds long and showcases vocals accompanied by a droning background.

My two favorite tracks are ‘Spider God,’ which features thrashy moments and stands as one of the album’s heavier tracks with its rapid, pounding drums and an impressive solo that resonates with a power metal anthem. ‘Neither Cross Nor Crown’ is another intense track, showcasing galloping riffs and the raspy, sinister vocals of Lord Klauf.

The album is a solid power metal offering, infused with black metal elements and the more aggressive vocals that are not typically found in traditional power metal. Although it’s only 35 minutes long, which is shorter than I usually prefer, and includes two instrumentals that I could pass on, it remains a worthwhile album to explore.

Available April 26th on No Remorse Records.

TRACKLIST

  1. Eagle Strike
  2. Beneath the Black Sails
  3. Heavy Metal Wraiths
  4. Frostwyrm Cavalry
  5. Widow’s Lament
  6. Spider God
  7. Razor Sharp
  8. A Welcoming Hearth
  9. Neither Cross Nor Crown
  10. The Last in a Line of Kings

(playing time: 35:49 min.)

LINE-UP
Lord Klauf – Vocals, Guitar
Will Spectre – Drums, Production
Jimmy Viola – Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
Sister Midnight – Lead Guitars