Heavy Metal
Ripple Music
Release Date – May 3rd 2024
Line Up:
Tim Narducci – Vocals
Jeremy Von Eppic – Guitar
Chris ‘Cornbread’ Lombardo – Bass
Nick Benigno – Drums
Tracklist:
1 – Twilight/I Am The Dark
2 – They Have No God
3 – Garden Tomb
4 – Zodiac
5 – Haunt You When I’m Dead
6 – Fightin’ And Bleedin’
7 – Taker
8 – Nyctophillia
Bloody pandemic ballsed up everything, didn’t it? Just when The Watchers were hitting their stride, they had to isolate like the rest of us. So, here is their delayed sophomore album. I was lucky enough to review their debut EP and their debut full-length album, which I still play regularly. With this, they introduce new drummer Nick Benigno, and they must have tempted the legendary producer/engineer Max Norman with some seriously righteous weed because he’s twiddled the knobs for them.
A Spanish-style acoustic opens ‘Twilight I Am The Dark’ before Jeremy Von Epp gives us a fine riff, and we’re joined by the rhythm section. It’s a slow and steady build before they ease off then erupt into a proper metal groove, and singer Tim Narducci comes in and shows his classic metal range. ‘They Have No God’ crushes as it stomps along, then ‘Garden Tomb’ slows down a bit and gets the head nodding on some more traditional metal where Von Epp plays some tasty eastern-flavored licks. ‘Zodiak’ is a power ballad that shimmers and shines, rises and falls, and has a superb synth in the background. It’s back to the metal on ‘Haunt You When I’m Dead’ and an absolute chugfest that will get the fists pumping before the awkward and jagged ‘Fightin’ And Bleedin’’. ‘Taker’ is another huge doomy grind, then the title track takes us back to the NWOBHM for a fine finale.
Another excellent effort from The Watchers, steeped in traditional metal. Someone once described them as incorporating the best bits from High On Fire and Rainbow. Yeah, I get that, but I would also add Ozzy and Sabbath in there too. Loads of classic metal riffs, searing solos, and fine vocal melodies separate this from the rest.
Written by: Smudge
Ratings: 8/10
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