Book of Numbers: Magick

This album generated some buzz when it first appeared, mostly because the band was so unabashedly old school that they drew some comparisons to giants like Rainbow, Dio, and Black Sabbath. While some listeners welcomed the band’s self-styled Power Doom Metal, others scoffed and wondered if all this was truly necessary. And yet, the band defied some of their critics as more people heard just how solid these guys are. Sure, the band sometimes sounds like a cross between Dio and Rainbow, but is that really so bad?

One of the best things about this album is just how natural it all sounds. The production by David Thoener (Rainbow, AC/DC, Aerosmith) captures the band’s strengths by leading with the bright and energetic guitars and the deep and resonant vocals. There’s nothing particularly innovative happening here, but the whole thing rises higher than people might expect. Especially noteworthy are tracks like “The Jester’s Crown� and “Magick� which stand out for their doomy take on classic heavy metal, while “White Turns Black to Grey� slows things down and showcases Kevin Schuhmacher’s vocals nicely. I’d also recommend “Contact / Kissing Laughter� if only to hear Brent Barker’s impressive extended guitar solo.

This is a solid debut that shows us just how enduring the classic influences of heavy metal really are. It will be interesting to see where the band takes things next.

Track Listing:
1. Magick
2. Optimism
3. The Jester’s Crown
4. Children of the Sea (Black Sabbath Cover)
5. Contact / Kissing Laughter
6. White Turns Black to Grey
7. Yesterday’s Nightmare
8. Our Dying World

Added: January 22nd 2022
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 572
Language: english

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