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│ METAL CLASSICS ARCHIVE │
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│ P R E S E N T S │
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│ + Blazon Stone - Down In The Dark + │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Information ║ │
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│║ ║ │
│║ Release Date.oct.-11-2017 Encoder......L3.97 -V2 --vbr-new ║ │
│║ Genre........Metal Graber.......EAC ║ │
│║ Year.........2017 Khz/Bitrate..44,1/ Br ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Ripper.......The_Patriarch Songs........12 ║ │
│║ Covers.......Yes Url... blazonstone.bandcamp.com ║ │
│║ ║ │
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│║ Release Notes ║ │
│╠═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╗ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Artist : Blazon Stone Rating : You Decide! ║ │
│║ Album : Down In The Dark Label : StormSpell ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Description : ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ It would be a mistake to dismiss Blazon Stone as ║ │
│║ a knockoff of the worldÆs premiere pirate metal ║ │
│║ act, Running Wild. ItÆs true that Blazon Stone ║ │
│║ takes its inspiration from the German band, ║ │
│║ whose releases from the mid Æ80s through the ║ │
│║ Æ90s remain some of the finest creations in ║ │
│║ heavy metal history. However, the three singers ║ │
│║ whoÆve contributed to Blazon Stone each have a ║ │
│║ unique singing style, and prior to Down in the ║ │
│║ Dark, none of their performances could be ║ │
│║ confused for the rough-hewn delivery of Running ║ │
│║ WildÆs lead marauder, Rolf Kasparek (aka Rock ║ │
│║ ænÆ Rolf). Moreover, the tankard-swinging, ║ │
│║ highly melodic guitar riffs and chorus sections ║ │
│║ that have populated past releases are largely an ║ │
│║ invention of Blazon StoneÆs own metal ║ │
│║ mastermind, the mighty Cederick Forsberg (aka ║ │
│║ Ced). TheyÆre found on CedÆs other speed and ║ │
│║ power metal projects Rocka Rollas and ║ │
│║ Breitenhold, but not on Running WildÆs ║ │
│║ archetypal speed metal releases. The pace and ║ │
│║ technical clarity of Blazon StoneÆs songs are ║ │
│║ also consistently greater than those of the ║ │
│║ actÆs predecessor, and the songwriting chops ║ │
│║ have been commendable in their own right. In ║ │
│║ other words, criticisms of the originality of ║ │
│║ Blazon Stone are often superficial, and they ║ │
│║ undermine the meaningful contributions Ced and ║ │
│║ his collaborators have made to true metal in the ║ │
│║ 21st century. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Although Blazon StoneÆs unique character ║ │
│║ continues to shine through on the actÆs fourth ║ │
│║ full-length album, the melodies and vocal ║ │
│║ performance feel truer to Running Wild than ever ║ │
│║ before. Understated chorus sections on ôEagle ║ │
│║ Warriorsö and ôWatery Gravesö provide a ║ │
│║ particularly classic sound. The overly melodic ║ │
│║ anthems of past songs like ôAmistad Rebellionö ║ │
│║ and ôBeasts of Warö have been reigned in, and ║ │
│║ Down in the Dark reveals a careful attention to ║ │
│║ detail in its emulation of the past. However, ║ │
│║ instead of complacently following in the wake of ║ │
│║ the older bandÆs vessel, Blazon Stone has ║ │
│║ prepared a hostile takeover. Down in the Dark ║ │
│║ uses established techniques to challenge Running ║ │
│║ Wild for dominance of the speed metal seas, and ║ │
│║ it does so with genuine respect and admiration, ║ │
│║ even as it boards their ship and sets fire to ║ │
│║ the sails. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Blazon StoneÆs mastery of old school speed metal ║ │
│║ is evident immediately on ôInto Victoryö and ║ │
│║ ôDown in the Dark,ö which call to mind the most ║ │
│║ uptempo tracks from mid-90s classics like Black ║ │
│║ Hand Inn and Masquerade. Erik Forsberg (no ║ │
│║ relation to Ced) has roughened up his vocal ║ │
│║ delivery significantly from the duoÆs 2016 ║ │
│║ collaborations on War of the Roses and Ready for ║ │
│║ Boarding, and his overall phrasing has more in ║ │
│║ common with Rock ænÆ RolfÆs than anyone before ║ │
│║ him. ErikÆs new singing style is a better fit ║ │
│║ for the music, though he also seems more ║ │
│║ comfortable with his role in general. His voice ║ │
│║ intuitively navigates the densely composed verse ║ │
│║ sections and flows effortlessly through chorus ║ │
│║ melodies in harmony with the guitars. The ║ │
│║ relative gruffness of his new style is sometimes ║ │
│║ accented by a brilliant high-pitch shriek that ║ │
│║ retains the coarseness of the lower notes. ItÆs ║ │
│║ an inspired performance all around, and the best ║ │
│║ one yet to grace any of CedÆs speed metal ║ │
│║ efforts. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Those who are new to Blazon Stone, or to CedÆs ║ │
│║ projects in general, will be immediately struck ║ │
│║ by the immense talent and precision in CedÆs ║ │
│║ playing. As the drummer, bass player, guitarist, ║ │
│║ and backing vocalist for Blazon Stone, he is ║ │
│║ very nearly a literal power metal machine, ║ │
│║ cranking out elaborate compositions with ║ │
│║ stunning precision. The opening to ôBloody ║ │
│║ Inquisitionö is a perfect example of his ║ │
│║ virtuosic playing. ItÆs tough to find a single ║ │
│║ hair out of place in CedÆs perfectly groomed ║ │
│║ performances, and though many bands sacrifice ║ │
│║ their musicÆs energy levels at the expense of ║ │
│║ this kind of exactness, CedÆs irrepressible ║ │
│║ enthusiasm comes through on every note. ItÆs not ║ │
│║ just technical skill that sets Ced apart, ║ │
│║ either. He has an ear for creating addictive ║ │
│║ melodies, invigorating rhythms, and unique ║ │
│║ moments that add depth to every song. His guitar ║ │
│║ solos are also at the pinnacle of modern ║ │
│║ traditional metal. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Down in the Darkæs sound production and mixing ║ │
│║ are mostly consistent with previous Blazon Stone ║ │
│║ releases. The recording provides complete ║ │
│║ clarity and dedication to every instrument, ║ │
│║ which means CedÆs unbelievable performances are ║ │
│║ easy to enjoy and ErikÆs singing never ║ │
│║ overwhelms or competes with the instruments. ║ │
│║ This clarity comes at a price, however, as the ║ │
│║ recording feels bright and top-heavy, especially ║ │
│║ at high volume. That said, itÆs a minor ║ │
│║ distraction, and one thatÆs preferable to the ║ │
│║ distant and murky sound that plagues many ║ │
│║ similar recordings. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ItÆs easy to recognize the effort the two men ║ │
│║ have put into making Down in the Dark a diverse ║ │
│║ and memorable experience, which is no mean feat ║ │
│║ on an album dedicated to rollicking speed. Song ║ │
│║ tempos fluctuate between the relentless top ║ │
│║ speed of ôDown in the Darkö and ôMerciless ║ │
│║ Pirate Kingö to more midtempo, hard rock- ║ │
│║ inspired efforts like ôHanged, Drawn, and ║ │
│║ Quarteredö and ôRock Out!ö Every track on the ║ │
│║ album has its own notable moments, such as the ║ │
│║ jig in ôTavern of the Damnedö that summons ║ │
│║ images of salty marauders spending their ill- ║ │
│║ gotten coin on ale and women in a raucous ║ │
│║ watering hole. ôEagle Warriorsö delivers a ║ │
│║ rapid-fire guitar melody that alternates with ║ │
│║ ErikÆs singing as the lead before harmonizing ║ │
│║ for one of the albumÆs most memorable chorus ║ │
│║ hooks. ItÆs an exhilarating entry that demands ║ │
│║ high volume and creates an audial vacuum when it ║ │
│║ reaches its perfectly succinct conclusion. If ║ │
│║ the goal is to mimic Rock ænÆ Rolf, then Erik ║ │
│║ finds his best success on ôRock Out!ö during ║ │
│║ which there are moments when he could actually ║ │
│║ pass for the German metal legend. ItÆs also ║ │
│║ worth mentioning the albumÆs acoustic entries. ║ │
│║ These moments, such as ô1478ö and the intro to ║ │
│║ ôHanged, Drawn, and Quartered,ö are beautiful in ║ │
│║ their own right, and they serve as meaningful ║ │
│║ intermissions from the rest of the music. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Finding singular moments within each song is ║ │
│║ deeply rewarding, though there is one caveat ║ │
│║ worth mentioning: multiple spins are required to ║ │
│║ fully appreciate Down in the Dark. Like the best ║ │
│║ Running Wild recordings, the speed and density ║ │
│║ of the compositions cause the songs to run ║ │
│║ together on the first listen or two, and it ║ │
│║ takes time to unpack the album and enjoy its ║ │
│║ many highlights. New fans would be remiss in ║ │
│║ walking away from the recording if it doesnÆt ║ │
│║ immediately grab their interest, as thereÆs a ║ │
│║ treasure trove waiting in Down in the Dark for ║ │
│║ those willing to explore it. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ItÆs become popular to praise certain heavy ║ │
│║ metal releases from the Æ80s as untouchable, ║ │
│║ though hindsight and nostalgia have a funny way ║ │
│║ of shaping the quality of a recording. Down in ║ │
│║ the Dark rivals, and occasionally outshines, the ║ │
│║ absolute best heavy metal releases from the ║ │
│║ past. ItÆs likely that in 30 years, fans will ║ │
│║ cherish this release as a classic and reminisce ║ │
│║ about the first time they heard it. Criticisms ║ │
│║ of BlazonÆs StoneÆs originality may be louder ║ │
│║ than ever, though the sincerity and unqualified ║ │
│║ excellence of the act make these complaints ║ │
│║ irrelevant for fans of traditional metal. ║ │
│║ Considering that Running Wild hasnÆt produced a ║ │
│║ worthwhile record in almost 20 years, thereÆs ║ │
│║ plenty of room in the world for outstanding ║ │
│║ pirate-themed speed metal in 2017. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Perhaps counterintuitively, the value of Blazon ║ │
│║ StoneÆs songs has actually increased as Ced and ║ │
│║ Erik move closer to the sound of their ║ │
│║ inspiration, not because of the similarities, ║ │
│║ but because of the duoÆs increased mastery of ║ │
│║ the style. Down in the Dark displays clear ║ │
│║ intent and self-awareness, and it is ║ │
│║ unquestionably the finest Blazon Stone effort to ║ │
│║ date. Machine-like instrumental precision, ║ │
│║ smartly restrained melodies, intuitive and ║ │
│║ energetic vocal sections, and rousing song ║ │
│║ compositions make every track a joy to ║ │
│║ experience. DonÆt wait for history to vindicate ║ │
│║ Down in the Dark and clarify its greatness. Play ║ │
│║ it loud and raise a bottle of rum in honor of ║ │
│║ the masterpiece it already is. ║ │
│║ ║ │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Tracklist ║ │
│╚═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════ │
│ │
│ 01 - The Galleons Departure (Intro) [01:24] │
│ 02 - Into Victory [04:04] │
│ 03 - Down in the Dark [03:33] │
│ 04 - Hanged Drawn and Quartered [04:56] │
│ 05 - Eagle Warriors [03:37] │
│ 06 - Tavern of the Damned [05:55] │
│ 07 - Merciless Pirate King [03:39] │
│ 08 - Watery Graves [03:55] │
│ 09 - Rock Out [03:26] │
│ 10 - 1478 (Instrumental) [00:36] │
│ 11 - Bloody Inquisition [04:42] │
│ 12 - Captain of the Wild [03:47] │
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│ Total Length : [43:34 minn │
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│ ╔═════════════════════╗ │
│ ║ Greetings To: ║ │
│ ╚═════════════════════╝ │
│ │
│ Too all people who contributes to make this │
│ archive of good music in a exceptional conditions │
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