Like the result of an orgy between Celtic Frost, Amon Amarth, Destruction, and Iron Maiden comes The Horde and their new CD titled From Empire To Ashes, a sword wielding, shield bashing, Viking celebration of tumultuous old school metal. Six tracks at just over 30 minutes, From Empire to Ashes doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is, and that's bone crunching metal, high on the cheese factor, but played so well and with so much conviction it's hard to ignore. I'm reminded at times while listening to this CD of 80's band Cirith Ungol, a group who never quite make the big time but came across in the same way as The Horde does. Plenty of Maiden-ish harmonies here, as well as galloping rhythms, and the vocals of bassist Duncan at times have a certain Tom Warrior feel to them. Lyrics are somewhat laughable, but you just can't help but raise your fist in the air and headbang along to the mammoth sounds of "Dogs of War" and "Battle Cry", two clunky Viking metal epics that somehow remain pretty damn addicting. Elsewhere, there's lots of thrashy mayhem going on featuring tight guitar interplay and pounding drums, best exemplified on the jagged "Curse of the Witch".
It won't win any awards for originality, but The Horde's From Empire to Ashes is a fun old school extreme metal platter that can be appreciated on many levels...and I'm sure the band had a blast making, which definitely counts in my book.
Track Listing
1. Dogs of War
2. Throne of Skulls
3. Battle Cry
4. Necrmancer
5. Bleeding Into Eternity
6. Curse of the Witch
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
