As debuts go, The Gauntlet‘s Dark Steel and Fire covers a lot of (unholy) ground. Not ones to shy away from a grandiose statement – just check the cover art – these nine tracks are another building block in the monolithic super structure that is metal.
We’re talking shred, powerchords, arpeggios like tolling bells, and demonic shrieking. The sort of rock horsepower to deliver a heart startling shock to any metal fan whose has strayed from the path. These riffs aren’t skulking in a back alley, they’re striding down Main Street with clanking brass balls.
The original black metal scrolls have been studied and bolted to some of the most hedonistic traits of the 80s rock gods. It has no right to sound this good, but it’s a victory of epic proportions.
The devil rides out and you are invited along.
