ALBUM REVIEW: Duskfall – Telomyras
Ever wondered what it would be like if a power metal band with minimal budget decided to turn into a blackened thrash group mid-song? Well, that’s weirdly specific, but you’ll find out if you listen to Duskfall, the first full-length from TELOMYRAS. The opening track Reckoning initially feels like a throwback, it’s got some galloping eighties riffs and soaring operatic vocals and is all set to be a slice of retro fun until suddenly, it isn’t. A veil of darkness descends, singer Sammie Gorham bursts into flames, and it gets bleak.
About a minute later, it switches back. The Dark Elf Necromancers retreat into the woods and Reckoning plays out its final minute sounding like a CASTLE RAT-style trad metal number. It’s an effective gear change and gives a good idea of how the next eight songs will play out.
On the one hand, there are fast paced anthems like Burden, a high-energy burst of fun that could sit comfortably alongside similar-minded revivalists like TOWER and HOAXED. But on the other, there are flashes of extreme metal and bleak violence. For example, Witch almost seems like it was written to intentionally disrupt the momentum set by the first two songs. It’s slower-paced and ominous, and the musical equivalent of the villains from Red Sonja spiking your drink with mushrooms then torturing you to death. And it somehow achieves this without a single harsh vocal.
But the screams return promptly on Attrition, arguably the heaviest cut on here. This one sees TELOMYRAS going full death-thrash and it rules. Sammie alternates between vocal styles to tremendous effect, and it turns into a distinctive highlight, equal parts heavy and atmospheric. Killer guitar solo too.
It’s a testament to their skill that by this point, TELOMYRAS are less than halfway through their debut, yet they’ve already made an impressive statement. Alternating between different styles can be hard to pull off, but despite the varied moods, Duskfall feels like a cohesive body of work. This is not retro American power metal that’s been shoehorned into a relationship with heavier stuff, the mood changes seem organic and unforced.
Shame then, that Duskfall doesn’t end on the strongest note. Despondence is a cool, howling-wind intro that suggests something incredible is coming, but the climactic Begin The End is a letdown. This closing number features an excellent vocal performance but otherwise is unremarkable. It hangs around way too long and doesn’t have enough hooks or interesting moments to justify the extended run time. It’s not terrible, but it is a disappointing finish compared to what came before.
Underwhelming finale aside, Duskfall is a welcome addition to the burgeoning trad-metal scene. But while they’ve unmistakably looked to the past for inspiration, there’s a modern edge to TELOMYRAS that makes them stand out. They’re not quite the finished article, but they’re a talented and ambitious group. Duskfall is an album that’s hoovered up parts of SAVATAGE and NERVOSA in equal measure and moulded them into an engaging fusion of sounds.
Rating: 7/10
Duskfall is out now via self-release.
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