ALBUM REVIEW: The Way Of Ancients – Volcandra
Swords, sorcery and barbarians. Big, epic fantasy backdrops tailored alongside expertly crafted melodeath. As if Conan was wielding Excalibur while blasting riffs. All that’s along the lines of what VOLCANDRA have forged here. Since their 2020 debut album Into The Azure, the Kentucky-based five-piece have been charging full tilt with an escapist edge to their tremendous extreme metal. Picking up tonnes of shows as both solo headliners and support slots, they’ve created a momentum that brings us to the sophomore release The Way Of Ancients. Buckle up for a blistering metal assault.
Birth Of The Nephalem introduces the album and the wider, overarching concept that VOLCANDRA have been building on since their previous release. The guitar melodies have a thick, warming tone that creates an ensnaring atmosphere to open proceedings. With orchestral pads, the track swirls and gathers pace once further layers are introduced before this is swept aside in a cascade of thrash-infused blackened metal that rips though the aural senses like a charging barbarian horde. The melodic themes are still present, giving order to the brutality. The heavy swinging aggression is calculated but full of emotive passion driven by the vocals.
Lead single Fouled Sanctity ramps up the frenzied intensity that the opener alluded to, the band flexing their thrash muscles with rapid pace harmonized riffs combined with the unbridled guttural fury of blackened death metal. It is the perfect example of how VOLCANDRA are looking to take the musical journey to more powerful heights than shown on their previous releases. The full-throttle strength on display is tempered by their well-composed melodic sensibilities; the layered melodic textures and harmonies serve to both boost the rhythmic drive but also offer another fully-realised musical angle from which to approach this release.
There’s so much to unpack and enjoy across the eight tracks offered up. The twin guitars shine brightly on the short but epic sounding Seven Tombs, where a clean, delicate introduction is swiftly replaced by an out and out charge into extreme metal territory with the force of a hurricane. The unrelenting riffs are supported by the juggernaut rhythm section, while the vocals lend a hefty weight. It’s a joyous tempest, combining many components into a catchy as anything mid-album number.
It’s the type of album that’ll have each listen producing a different favourite track depending on the listener’s mood at any given time. The aforementioned tracks offer but a brief snapshot of the intoxicating album VOLCANDRA have crafted. If one is looking for a rallying rage against anything and everything they need look no further than Maiden Of Anguish, whereas the title track which closes out proceedings offers a more mid-tempo contemplative delivery. There’s barely pause to collect a thought before we’re treated to another flurry of riffs and melodies to knock the senses for six – masterfully created and wonderfully produced.
By the close, The Way Of Ancients will have you fully immersed in the narrative escapism that VOLCANDRA have strived to create. They’ve executed the thematic elements of extreme metal with well-honed balance and precision. There are moments of full tilt savagery that take the tracks to the brink before being pulled back with deft melodic interjections and hooks that will have many listeners returning time and again to experience. It’s an all-encompassing journey that’ll leave you wanting more. Thanks to the blend of thrash, death, black and melodic metal, VOLCANDRA have produced a truly stand out sophomore release.
Rating: 9/10
The Way Of Ancients is set for release on March 1st via Prosthetic Records.
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