SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GLORYHAMMER – RETURN TO THE KINGDOM OF FIFE

Gloryhammer
Return To The Kingdom Of Fife
Nuclear Blast

Soaring melodies, layered vocals, frantic double bass drumming, and a penchant for epic storytelling. These are the most integral components of power metal and ones that the band Gloryhammer have held in close regard, continuing to let those fires burn through their fourth LP, Return To The Kingdom Of Fife. The five-piece has made a name for itself not just through its musicianship but through the expansive storyline that creates the castle walls of the band, with each member adopting the persona of one of the characters and appearing as them on stage, similar to Gwar although not in style. The idea, while not exactly novel, is an immense amount of fun and brings more diversity to the project. Unfortunately, by this release it seems that maybe a small diversion from tradition may have been in their favor.

Return is not a poor album in the strict sense. The melodies and hooks are sound, the guitar playing is Tolkien-esque in its expanse, and the vocals evoke power itself, but there is little variety to the record from what has been done before by the band or others in their respective genre. There are some tracks that stand out such as the crowd pleasing “Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol” and the barbarian level of intensity in “Sword Lord Of The Goblin Horde” but apart from those, the album is left in the rear-view, a good sight to see but nothing that hasn’t been seen before. It isn’t fair to lay fault on this record by skill or playing style, but it does remain forgettable even if the band itself strives for something greater. There is plenty of fun to be had through the first listen, but it ends right with the final track and doesn’t bring enough to warrant a repeat or even a strong memory.

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