#21 - Top of 2018

Iron Void - Excalibur (Independent)

"Excalibur" is the amazing third full-length concept album by British heavy-doom metal band Iron Void.  First formed back in 1998, they initially disbanded in 2000 but did reform in 2008, before releasing their debut album in 2014. The trio (with Jonathan "Sealey" Seale in vocals/bass, Steve Wilson in guitars/vocals and Richard Maw in drums) explore the tale of Camelot, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table, starting off with Merlin's incantation of the Charm of Making leading to Excalibur's creation in the first track "Dragon's Breath", pompously repeated by Simon Strange (of The Lamp of Thoth & Arkham Witch). "The Coming of a King" retells the story of Arthur and has one the best guitar/bass riffing combinations of the album while "Lancelot of the Lake" is a heavy metal song with more quick-paced but equally melodic NWOBHM riffs. "Forbidden Love" evokes classic doom metal vibes before speeding up to a quicker guitar solo and finally going back to a slow paced ending. Another song that is definitely a highlight of "Excalibur", is "Enemy Within" with an amazing catchy chorus! The story continues with "The Grail Quest", with its heavy tone matching the lyrical theme and its expected unhappy ending that leads straight into "A Dream to Some, a Nightmare to Others" which recounts the death of Merlin and its effect on the theme of the legend (accompanied with some epic and heavy riffs and vocals). The story gets its epic ending with "The Death of Arthur" (in all its glorious 7 minutes) kicking off with drumming and accoustic guitars before adding heavy doom riffs, all the while recounting the demise of the King and finally closing the tale with the melodic acoustic "Avalon" appropriately slowing the pace for the end of the record as well as the story of Excalibur and Arthur.


94.1/100

Below are the audio tracks of the whole album. If you enjoy it, please consider supporting the band in their Bandcamp page