ALBUM REVIEW: Out Of The Dark – The Watcher
Four years on from their first EP release, Massachusetts trio THE WATCHER are set to let loose their debut album, Out Of The Dark. With an intoxicating blend of doom-tinged traditional heavy metal, the three-piece have generated a triumphant sound laden with hooks and riffs, looking to entice the fan bases of bands such as TROUBLE, SATAN and the mighty IRON MAIDEN. It’s never going to be an easy market to break into, newer bands have to offer enough for the orthodox, established fans to latch onto while still deliver a sound that has enough crisp modernity to not come across as stagnant. Fortunately, it appears that they’re set to tick an awful lot of boxes on this debut release.
It’s not an album that bursts out of the traps right from the off. The title track opens proceedings in a swirling, enthralling guitar melody. The type of plucked chords and textural swell that would introduce a crashing Bruce Dickinson-esque vocal attack. Then the track opens up into a galloping pace and one would be forgiven for thinking that this might yet still be an IRON MAIDEN B-side. However, there is something utterly enthralling about the song construct and the head down no-nonsense approach that grips the attention throughout. At no point does it seem like this is a rip off, but clearly a band acknowledging their influences but running with it in their own style and they deliver with aplomb.
Choppy guitars, soaring vocal chorus lines and driving rhythm lines are the order of the day across this record. An unbridled attitude that lies at the heart of heavy metal is on full display across these eight tracks and there is never a dull moment. We’re getting treated to a heady heavy metal tour de force that not only highlights the talent of these three musicians but also serves as a grin inducing reminder of the sheer joy of this genre. True, Exiled provides the token mid album breathing space. With reverb laced emotive vocals and gentle, clean guitar lines. The fact that it is slotted in between the pulse raising Burning World and pure headbanging delight of The Revelator, means that it is only a very brief pause in the activities. The latter half of the album retains just as much punch and attitude as the opener and as such keeps the short, sharp intensity retained and serves to add to the quality of the debut.
If there is any criticism to be levelled at the album. It’s that some of the track titles come across as a little paint by numbers heavy metal. Exiled and The Final Hour could be from a variety of NWOBHM albums. Similarly, there is a small element of this carrying over into the lyrical content too. Some lines and phrases, don’t break new ground with their statements. However, that is a very minor gripe and when taken as a whole, any thoughts of possible predictability are swept aside and carried off by the gleeful delivery of the riffs and rhythms. The Final Hour will absolutely result in neck ache before the final note.
As a debut, Out Of The Dark serves as a wonderful introduction to what is a very talented band. It will surely help to bring some deserved high praise and positive attention their way. By the final crashing note of Thy Blade, Thy Blood it will have many clamouring for more. While the world of traditional heavy metal doesn’t necessarily need a motivational kick, it’s always welcome when a band comes along that nails every aspect of the genre and can still put their own flare on the style and produce music that is enjoyable and memorable. There is a spark of burgeoning greatness on this record and it is up to THE WATCHER to harness that potential now.
Rating: 7/10
Out Of The Dark is out now via Cruz Del Sur Music.
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