Thousand Year War are a Melodic Death Metal band from Alaska. To date this is their first full release after the release of a demo in 2009.
“Tyrants and Men” is a pleasing album to listen to. There’s no messing about. This is a proper band whose output involves big riffs, pounding drums and altogether punchy and forceful Melodic Death Metal. There are screams and it’s uncompromising but never less than melodic. The approach is broadly the same throughout but the songs are fresh and catchy. The only one I wasn’t especially keen on was “Spartacus” towards the end, which deviates from the norm by bordering on power metal, even to the extent of the lyrics: “Equal we are together, we stand all tribe and tongue warriors as one with Spartacus ride!” I’m not sure that makes any sense but in spite of its banality, even this track has good riffage and twirling drums.
The other 9 tracks are much better. Excitement exudes from the songs, which all have their own stamp. Where the title track is just heavy after starting in epic fashion, “One Final Breath” is lighter, yet still fast and furious with hammering drums and the customary growls. “The Sea” is typical. It’s catchy, heavy on bass and drums and of course melody. On top of this extrovert guitar work makes for a great sound, the breaks enhance the excitement and serve notice that we’re heading off in yet another direction. There’s a little bit of Dark Tranquillity in the vocals, All That Remains in the melody but there’s one band of whom this rip-roaring album made me think more than any other: Children of Bodom. In fact Finnish melodic energy in general is well in evidence.
“No Gods, No Masters” has Bodom in the ringing riff and smooth urgency. Each track has complete authority and confident movement. The big guns are out once again for “Thousand Year War”. Death vocals once again combine with utterly melodious heavy metal and galloping lyrics. You may gather that this is in the region of Thrash, slowing down only occasionally. The rhythms are pulsating and overlaid with flourishing guitar riffs and triggering drums. This is “Open Casket”. It’s the movement of this and all the other tracks that’s so good. The drums take over and run the show. There’s great guitar work and screaming. This album is stiff-neck territory.
“Warriors of Deficit” has more drama than most, taking once again a leaf out of Dark Tranquillity’s book but with the unstoppable rhythm that characterises this work. There’s even a folk-like twist but we’re never far from the punishing Death Metal growls and melodies. “The Storm and Ride” is a cover of the track by Abbath of I and Immortal. As you would expect there’s a slight change of tack but it is to the credit of Thousand Year War that they are adaptable. Guitar led and rock n roll orientated, the interpretation here is of a biker’s track as played by Children of Bodom. But this is Thousand Year War, who in addition to providing exhilarating movement and heaviness, even manage to fit an exciting guitar solo into the framework of this excellent track.
It’s impossible to stop moving to this album. The sound is big and the execution superb. There are no pretensions about “Tyrants and Men”. At no stage does it stop to admire itself. This is as good a piece of Melodic Metal as you’ll find. It all adds up to great enjoyment.
http://www.myspace.com/thousandyearwar
Andrew Doherty
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