EP REVIEW: Sorceress – Beast Eagle
If you’ve been enjoying the fantastical adventures of old-school metallers like CASTLE RAT and TOWER of late, you’ll want to check this one out. Nebraskan four-piece BEAST EAGLE are relative newcomers, but this EP is an impressive introduction to them. It’s a big, confident collection of retro-rock songs, packed with hefty riffage and with an absolute powerhouse of a vocalist at the centre. Sorceress is only twenty minutes long, but it’s a wonderful appetiser for things to come.
Taking inspiration from acts as diverse as HE IS LEGEND and KYUSS, this is the kind of metal that your grandparents would call “rock and roll,” but still possesses a modern edge. It’s energetic, groovy, and wouldn’t be out of place soundtracking a motorcycle trip through Middle Earth. But BEAST EAGLE don’t sound nostalgic. This is clearly in debt to the past, but it’s not fixated on it, and Sorceress is recognisably a 21st century release.
The strongest weapon in their arsenal is the aforementioned singer. Kate Lewis has a formidable set of pipes on her; she’s got some serious power behind her and every word is enunciated clearly. Her performance is consistently good, and she almost comes across like the long-lost-sister of JB Christofferson from GRAND MAGUS.
While she’s undoubtedly the star, this isn’t a one-woman show. There’s a lot of thundering riffage in here, with Send Me Down being arguably the best track. We’ve seen BEAST EAGLE referred to as a stoner band before, but this not music for slouching on a sofa with bleary eyes and a grin on your face. It’s fast, galloping war metal, made for raising a sword above your head while an army of Valkyries charge from the heavens. The excellent Witch Hunt showcases a keen appreciation of key changes and sweet melodies, while Sharp Tongue is packed with charisma.
It is still early days for these guys, but with luck we’ll be seeing a lot more of them. Sorceress is hamstrung by the comparatively short running time, but it has done things correctly and made us want to hear a full length. Plus, there’s something deeply reassuring about it. Only a few years ago, bands like this would have struggled to make much of an impact, but with GREEN LUNG and CASTLE RAT rapidly climbing the ranks, we could be just one solid album away from BEAST EAGLE standing alongside them. Grab your favourite Terry Brooks novel, a pint of real ale and get some BEAST EAGLE in your life.
Rating: 7/10
Sorceress is out now via Golden Robot Records.
Follow BEAST EAGLE on Instagram.