Artist: Bolt Thrower
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 11/15/05
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Title: Those Once Loyal Artist: Bolt Thrower Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: 11/15/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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5 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
Damn, it's been a while since we heard from these guys, huh? The coolest thing about a new Bolt Thrower release is that the chances of you being disappointed are next to nothing. More so than probably any other band, Bolt Thrower know what their fans want and always deliver. Seriously, do you know anyone who thought For Victory ruled, but thought Honour Valour Pride just sucked? Only a jackass would say such a thing. I suppose it's noteworthy that this album marks the return of Karl Willets on vocals...but geez, did that many people really notice? Are there really people out there that would've loved the last album, but the vocals ruined it for them? We all have are favorites, of course, but death metal vocals never really make or break a band.
"One word review: Triumphant!" All that being said, some Bolt Thrower albums are better than others. The good news is that this one is their best album in years. Of course, technically, it's their only album in years, but you get my point - Those Once Loyal is a great listen.
In many ways this album is par for the course. It's the mid-paced, down-tuned, upbeat death metal that everyone expects from this band. The reason this album stands out is that it fits in so well. Some people will tell you that last sentence is bad writing, but don't listen to them (just do what I do and stick your fingers in your ears and yell, "LALALALALALALA!"). What I mean by that is that this album fits so well with their entire catalogue. It's not one of those records you really like when you first hear it, then you listen to a classic album by the same band, then don't like the new one much anymore when you go back to it. Is this my favorite Bolt Thrower album? I'm not sure. But it's in the running and that's pretty exciting in and of itself.
This album is chock full of anthems for the warriors who've got spikes on their arms, bullets holding their pants up, and armor made of denim and leather...and it's good for those of us who just wear black t-shirts too. One word review: Triumphant!
Death's Review:
Having first been formed by Barry Thompson (guitar) and Gavin Ward (started on bass, now playing guitar), Bolt Thrower gear up for their 20th Anniversary with the release of their new studio album, Those Once Loyal, a continuation of the classic Bolt Thrower sound featuring the return to the fold of vocalist Karl Willetts. (Interestingly enough, Willetts auditioned for his return to the band by re-recording vocal tracks for the Honour, Valour, Pride album.) As always, Bolt Thrower deliver exactly what you came for - cool, hammering death metal. Well produced, catchy, perhaps somewhat simplistic but incredibly tight and well-executed metal. You're thinking, "Hey! That's the kind of music I like!" Exactly. I think the fact that Bolt Thrower never change really is part of their charm. As the publicity sheet that came with the promo reads, "In a world of compromise . . . some don't." Damn straight.
"It really is a nice, catchy, little slab of well-produced death metal." And anyway, Those Once Loyal stands on its own, even without the Bolt Thrower legacy. It really is a nice, catchy, little slab of well-produced death metal. A million times better than all that hardcore/metalcore/trendcore bullshit you're forced to consumer so much of these days. Buy Bolt Thrower instead and you'll be better off in the long run.
Hel's Review:
You know, it is really incomprehensible to me how a band as amazing as Bolt Thrower can remain so unknown after so many years. Every album is consistently astounding, and Those Once Loyal continues this tradition.
"Death with a Bolt Thrower twist." On the other side of yet another line up change, the band has returned with former member Karl Willetts rejoining them on the mic. His performance is excellent, in keeping with the music on the album. As always, everything is top notch and the writing delivers death with a Bolt Thrower twist.
2006 marks the twentieth anniversary of this impressive band. If you have not yet done so, get thee to a store and buy up any copies you can and share the wealth this holiday season. Celebrate both the season of giving and the anniversary of the band in one fell swoop. Reading this post-Christmas? Who says the giving has to stop? Wouldn't it be cool to show up with Those Once Loyal at your friend's New Year party and have them to play it and tell them they can keep it? A little Bolt Thrower is the way to start 2006 off right...
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