Rock is dead. Many said that. Even more, ‘Rock is dead in America’. Are they sure? Wilmington, North Carolina band CHILDREN OF THE REPTILE didn’t noticed. They are about to release their new CD “Heavy Is The Head” on April 7, and believe its title.
Though they are proudly part of what’s now called the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal, CHILDREN OF THE REPTILE aren’t simply aping metal styles from the late 70s and 80s. Calling themselves “American Epic Heavy Metal,” these four travellers have been crushing the Southeast United States for over a decade now.
If you want the melting riffs ala Judas Priest, the twin leads of Thin Lizzy or Iron Maiden, the attitude of WASP, the progressive leanings of Armored Saint, then you must check out the best kept secret from the swamps of the Cape Fear: CHILDREN OF THE REPTILE.
These guys aren’t ground-breaking, no, they play loud, old, traditional metal, with gang vocals, with uncompromising heavy attitude.
Though the last half decade left most of us much dumber than we were in the era before, CHILDREN OF THE REPTILE have emerged from that time portal not unlike Theodore Logan and Bill S. Preston Esquire at the end of their Bogus Journey – fully trained and ready to shred.
‘Heavy is the Head’ is an absolute clinic in sick as f@ck traditional metal riffing. But it’s more than just riffs that the band have to offer here. Each track places a premium on songwriting craft and dynamics that is so often completely absent in a scene full of rip-offs and rehashes.
Rather than focusing on dropping the right names and copying the right songs, this band has assembled a unique sound from the massive toolbox of heavy metal’s first few decades.
This is one of the heaviest albums we heard recently. We mean ‘heaviest’ especially from CHILDREN OF THE REPTILE’s attitude. They don’t care trends, they don’t care place a single in the chart, they just want to play heavy metal.
If you like ole’ metal crap, this is for you. Rock not dead.
You’ve seen it first at all
1. Delvers in Darkness
2. Warriors of Light
3. Burner
4. Silent Circle
5. Fear the Old Blood
6. Seven Days of Fire
7. Last Words (Ruin’s Ride)
8. Adventurers
9. Oath to Order
Ozzie Darden: Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Chris Millard: Guitars, Backing Vocals, Gang Vocals
David “Pils” Hufham: Bass Guitars, Bass Synth, Gang Vocals
Chase Kelly: Drums, Gang Vocals
CHILDREN OF THE REPTILE – Heavy Is The Head (2023)
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