Homicide Black's debut CD arrived with a business card slipped under the plastic shrink wrap. Nothing unusual about that, I thought. Then I looked a little closer. Underneath band name there's a statement, 'Salvation for an ailing metal world.' Really? That's a bold statement from this Pittsburgh power trio.
One clue to Homicide Black's influences and sound comes from the one cover song on the album, Black Sabbath's Fairies Were Boots. I always liked the song and the band does a decent job with it. This debut follows in that vein of traditional heavy metal, sometimes with touch of doom metal.
It takes a few songs to get into this album. The first three songs are rather slow and brooding. The same could be said for The Tower, but it rebounds with some ripping guitar work midway through. Then Church on the Hill almost feels like a full on rocker, but also contains an interesting near choral vocal arrangement. It's likely the best song here. From here you can skip to the end for the classic metal sounds of Wheel of Time and Well of Souls, an interesting mixture of Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and very early Rainbow. The production seemed a little dodgy across the album, maybe a bit flat, but this somehow adds to the band's DIY charm.
Pennsylvania seems to be the breeding ground for traditional heavy metal bands as of late. Add Homicide Black as another with dead aim on the classic metal style. Easily recommended.
1. Hadean
2. Spirits Of The Dead
3. Sinner Or Saint
4. The Tower
5. Church On The Hill
6. Fairies Wear Boots
7. Fight
8. Serpents Dance
9. Waiting
10. Wheel Of Time
11. Well Of Souls
HOMICIDE BLACK – HOMICIDE BLACK 2012
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