By now, every metal fan should know that while it’s easy to judge some albums by their covers, others can trick you. Exhibit A: Marauders of the Killing Moon, the latest album from Temptation’s Wings, out of North Carolina. The disformed ogres and trolls wielding massive swords and other bloody weaponry on the cover (coupled with the intricate band logo) screams thrash, death or -- hell -- even black metal.
Push play, though, and you’ll be pummeled by muscular, melodic metal that’s a throwback to the NWOBHM days with nods to aggressive American-made power metal. That said, one of the best songs here is “Sea of Woe,” which swirls with doomy elements and heavy riffage. Think Candlemass meets Iced Earth.
Lyrically influenced by Greek and Norse mythology, and anchored in the moody vocals of singer and guitarist Micah Nix, Temptation’s Wings proudly play with finesse and ambition. Once unleashed, lead guitarist Chad Barnwell sounds unstoppable, and the rhythm section of drummer Jason Gardner and bassist Ryan Fox keep the bottom end heavy yet intricate. The production booms, too, especially on the slow-burning instrumental “Cosmos.”
The final two songs -- the five-part, eight-and-a-half-minute epic "Child of the Mountain" and the acoustic instrumental "Walk in the Woods" featuring mandolin and bass ukulele -- highlight the dichotomy of this band and suggest the members of Temptation's Wings have an even better album than this one in them.
I already look forward to hearing it.
Track Listing:
1. Warlords
2. Silent Assassin
3. Altar of Sabbath
4. Sea of Woe
5. Cosmos
6. Shadow of the Moon
7. Child of the Mountain
8. Walk in the Woods
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