Nashville's finest, Noisecult, are back with full-length number seven, 'Seraphic Wizard', their first recording since the excellent 'Burial Hymns' in 2016. A long wait, indeed, so what does this Nashville institution hold in store for us? These stalwarts within heavy-ass music in the US of A have never disappointed but can they keep the momentum seven albums into their 19 year long career? Yes, yes and then some, yes! The concoction they have brewed throughout the years with the main ingredients being Motörhead, Fear and heavy metal has matured perfectly into the definitive Noisecult sound. This time around the sound is immaculate, the instruments and vocals are perfectly balanced and a pinch of Iron Maiden has been added to great aplomb. The nucleus of Don Carr, guitar, Sean Kay, bass guitar and Mike Liffick, lead vocals, are still present, however, a new drummer has joined the fold. Patrick Nickell, previously with Oblivion Myth and Theocracy, is behind the drums and his presence is very noticeable. Not only is the drumming tight, on point and great sounding, it has allowed the band as a whole to have more freedom. What I mean is this lineup feels so relaxed which makes the performance so much better. Everything flows with such ease and joy and that, to me, lifts the song to great heights.
Opener 'Psycho Cerebral Manipulation' is how a opener should be. Intense, in your face and crushing. The band rips while moving back and forth between heavy skull crushing moments, metal moments and punk influences. And it works so well. This is the real deal. Next up is the fantastic 'Forever Nevermore' which such delicate and wonderful homage to Black Sabbath. It's like the Sabs musical offspring take the best off the old geezers, revamp it and take it into the 21st century. This song is so good especially when it sounds like Lemmy is singing. Doesn't get much better than this as the new lineup shines wonderfully. The title track follows and it starts of in a great trippy Eastern-influenced doom mode. Two thirds in the guys switch gears a touch and gradually begin to tear it up. Upping the ante, 'Season Of The Dark Witch' picks up the pace bringing back the fast heavy-ass metal. 'War Eternal' follows and it's a song Slayer could have written and should have. Kudos to Noisecult who did it instead keeping the heritage of the Californian masters alive. Intense, brutal and devastating with a blistering solo in the latter stages is phenomenal.
The Iron Maiden influences first appears in the somber beginning of the instrumental master-piece 'Feth Fiada'. After that it's a free for all metal crushing mayhem of the highest order. Although they switch between tempos as Paul Di'Anno-era Maiden did and it is amazing! A fuzzed-out doomy bass guitar introduced 'Lords Of Eden', a hooks and ladder beast of a song. Noisecult goes at it full force while adding gang-singing in the chorus as they pound the listener to the ground. 'Running Wild, Running Free' is a great homage to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, not only in the title but also in the music. This is music I grew up to but taken into the current century and it's bloody brilliant. Short, sharp and breathtaking, this is the real deal. Closer, 'Nachthexen', or Night Witches as the Nazi airforce labeled them during WWII, this Russian division of female fighter pilots were ruthless in their quest of crushing the German pilots. This is early Iron Maiden straight up, think of an amalgamation of just about every song on Iron Maiden's debut, especially 'Transylvania', Prowler' and 'Charlotte The Harlot' only to add some 'Paschendale' pieces in the latter half. Brilliant!
Kind of lost for words about what a great album Noisecult has made. True, I do refer to some pretty great bands as influences but the guys does it right. They pay homage and add bits and pieces to their own damn great music. And that's all you can ask for, that and do your very best. Noisecult does that and then some although I shouldn't be surprised. After all, I have followed them for a long time and know how good they are but 'Seraphic Wizard' really elevates them to even bigger heights. Fantastic, dear wave riders, absolutely fantastic!
-Swedebeast