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September 3, 2010 |
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OCCAMS RAZOR - Plains Of Oblivion
Unsigned/Indie (2004) |
9/10 |
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01. Destruction
02. Plains Of Oblivion
03. Hope In Death
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Man...what is going on in Calgary, Alberta these days!?! Or Western Canada for that matter!?! Between the likes of B.C.'s SOULSCAR and MEATLOCKER SEVEN, Regina, Saskatchewan's ever-rising INTO ETERNITY, Calgary, Alberta's up-and-comers BLACK SKY, and now...the phenomenal OCCAMS RAZOR, it seems we are in the midst of something of a Heavy Metal explosion here in the lands of the setting sun! To that I raise a frothy horn of mead and say 'Hell's Yeah!'.
Also hailing from the windswept plains of Calgary, OCCAMS RAZOR (a most excellent and original moniker I must say!) are yet another new unsigned, independent act who I count myself more than fortunate to have had the pleasure of experiencing. I don't mind saying that - regardless of their country of origin - I currently consider these guys to be somewhere in the forefront of a new and growing worldwide movement to bring 'True' Heavy Metal back to the glorious forefront where it belongs. Hooky riffs and infectious leadwork? You got it! Soaring, powerful vocals? Got it! Galloping Heavy Metal thunder and technically progressive songcraft? Got it! In spades too! OCCAMS RAZOR deliver on all fronts.
Featuring Jeff Muller on guitars/vocals, Dave Rooks (formerly of THORAZINE) on bass, Nathan Schendel on guitar, and Jawad Buloch on drums, OCCAMS RAZOR play a stirring blend of classic, old-school NWOBHM crossed with the lengthy Prog arrangements and technical sensibilities of early QUEENSRŸCHE and FATES WARNING with a hint or two of Chuck Schuldiner's progressive technicality channeling all spiritual-like through the devastating leadwork scattered gleaming and sun-on-steelish across this thing. A scant 3 tracks in length, their stunning Alchemy Studios (in Calgary) produced Demo EP 'Plains Of Oblivion' is a welcomed, headbanging treat sure to appeal to both new and old-school Metal fans alike.
Opener 'Destruction' is a rifftastic into-glory-ride journey from soaring, hook-laden peaks down through mind-expanding breakdown valleys driven by the dual leadwork of budding guitar heroes Muller and Schendel, with Muller's OTT (Over the frikkin' TOP!), thoroughly undisciplined Warrell Dane-gone-drinkin'-with-Ray Alder vox sweeping overtop in screaming castle-black, wyvern fashion! The title track - currently in my personal 'Top 10' for this month’s Metal offerings...PERIOD - gallops along in hair-whipping magnificence, OR here in possession of the best damned riff MAIDEN never wrote, making me want to run to the fridge (not the hills!) for another cold one whilst simultaneously banging my head in sheer, unabandoned glee that a band at this level exists who actually care so much about such gloriously high-calibre, guitar-driven METAAALLL!
Closer 'Hope In Death' opens with a dirty riff that swiftly rises into a headbanger's delight of interesting breakdowns and awe-inspiring solo-work that would make even the likes of Malmsteen, Laiho, and Wylde nod in grim and steely-eyed approval.
OCCAMS RAZOR are at once a purely musician's band of musicians, yet simultaneously just a bunch of guys who can let loose and riff along in true inebriated fashion with the best of them. Picture the aural equivalent of a guy in a ripped-sleeves denim jean jacket with a SAXON packpatch sitting in the library thoroughly engrossed in a leather-bound tome on the study of Metaphysics or Microbiology. Old-school brilliance and modern Tech/Prog mastery all in one. And that is essentially what OCCAMS RAZOR are all about, period. I find myself at something of a loss in describing just how impressed I am with this band. This is exactly what Metal needs right now. Labels please take note. As far as unsigned acts are concerned, it doesn't get a helluva lot better right now than OCCAMS RAZOR and "Plains Of Oblivion'.
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