#25 - Top of 2017

Trial - Motherless (Metal Blade Records)

Trial is a Swedish heavy metal which released their third full length album in 2017, under the title "Motherless". The record sets the tone with the heavy but melodic "Motherless" showcasing epic vocals by lead vocalist, Linus Johansson along with great guitar riffs (and solo) and drumming! "In Empyrean Labour" is a more epic addition that adds a more complex note to the album! "Cold Comes the Night" has a King Diamond feel (in terms of the vocals and themes of the song) that is perfectly mixed with some awesome guitar solos! The pace is slowed down with the heavier "Juxtaposed" that again highlights the amazing & clear vocals by Linus Johanssan. "Aligerous Architec" is an interesting darker epic metal track that wraps up the first section with a  call to arms. The three track finale incorporating "Birth", "Embodiment" and "Rebirth" showcases the diversity of the band's musical and lyrical skills; this musical journey starts by setting up an eerie vibe before moving to melodic & heavy tunes and finally the more lyrical final song which is filled with sounds by a range of musical instruments, played by the skilled multi-instrumentalist Alexander Ellström!  Overall, Motherless is a great heavy metal album with a progressive twist & guitar harmonies that is definitely worth a listen!

93/100

Below is the lyric video for the song "Motherless".