Holy Grail – Ride The Void
24th January 2013
Band: Holy Grail
Album: Ride The Void
Record Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 18th January 2013
Reviewed By: Mark
The review machine is on a role again and my latest review is the second album by LA metallers ‘HOLY GRAIL‘ (no big hair cock-rock here). They supposedly caused quite a stir with their 2010 debut album ‘Crisis in Utopia‘, however this album passed me by so ‘Ride the Void‘ is my introduction to HOLY GRAIL. They must be doing something right as they are signed to Nuclear Blast and they normally only sign great bands, so anyway here is my review of ‘Ride The Void‘…
As seems to be the norm nowadays the intro track starts and actually isn’t that bad as far as intro’s go with some great riffs and gallops along and sets you up for hopefully something great. The album doesn’t disappoint as ‘Bestia Triumphans‘ burst out of the starting gate into life with guitars shredding riffs, stop-start drumming and soaring vocals. ‘HOLY GRAIL’ play classic NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal for the uneducated) with a nod towards power metal (modern and old). Think Iron Maiden, Helloween, Judas Priest, DragonForce, Hammerfall, Iced Earth etc all fist and head banging at the front with a dash of thrash and that pretty much sums up ‘HOLY GRAIL’. So pretty fucking awesome if you ask me…
‘HOLY GRAIL’ blend catchy melodies, galloping riffs galore, thunderous drumming and fist banging mania which will have you singing along. One of the highlights of the album is that they make the dual guitar attack work, with the rhythm guitar lays down the groundwork while the lead guitar pulls no punches with the amazing fret work in each solo. The guitar solos grab you and make you focus on the skill, dexterity and complexity of each amazing solo. I would recommend everyone to listen to ‘Bestia Triumphans‘, ‘Bleeding Stone‘, ‘Ride The Void‘ & ‘Crosswinds‘ and if you don’t them songs then hang your head in shame and just get out!!!
My only problem with ‘HOLY GRAIL’ is that the last 5 songs seem to fade into each other and aren’t as catchy or hit you as hard as the first 7 songs of the album, 55 minutes is maybe to long and would be an instant classic if they dropped a song or two from the last 5 (that is my opinion). The final 5 songs don’t have the catchiness and sing-a-long of Hammefall’s first two albums and some of the riffs can pass you by, unlike Iced Earth, Judas Priest etc. However they are all very talented musicians and song writers and I expect big things from ‘HOLY GRAIL’ in the future and I will definitely go and check out their debut album. So I think ‘HOLY GRAIL’ are here to stay as they definitely have staying power so check them out you fools.
SCORE – 7.5/10
