When the RMR webzine was still young back in 2016, Marauder hit our review pipe. And it’s funny, isn’t it? Seven years ago, at the beginning of our endeavor, Bullethead felt like that Heavy Metal piece we ever lusted after over all these years. Little did we know that much more of such excellent material would be heading our way over the years. So, since their last piece got undue attention, Heavy Metal got forever reaffirmed in a genre that we thought was pretty much dead. Bears the question, will Metal Constructions VII stand the test of time? After all, 2022 got us some pretty snazzy material.
And it’s true. Marauder take their sweet time issuing new albums. And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This rush for fame with new records appearing every two years come hell or high water never was a sane approach, to be perfectly frank. And that’s especially true in a genre like Heavy Metal. Because it is difficult to find innovation in soundscapes already occupied by supergroups that were pretty much active since the genre’s inception. Now, Marauder aren’t precisely newbies around the Heavy Metal multiverse either. Active since 1990, they released a steady albeit slow stream of albums of their favorite fare.
I was kinda glad that Metal Constructions VII came along without Nikos Antonogiannakis whose gruff vocals often didn’t really help things along on Bullethead. Instead, Tassos Krokodilos appeared on the roster full-time this time,1 and it immediately shows. The band’s style still is somewhat one-dimensional and nobody will or should change that. But now, you’ll find trve power in vocals. Krokodilos will never be a Dickinson in disguise and – I guess – he also knows that. But he injects undeniable new-found power into an often somewhat morose offering that came before.
And that moves them a tad closer not only to the maidenesque heroes of the Heavy Metal gallop with some whiffs of Saxon in their prime for added spice. In addition, the former record’s tendencies to veer off into Power Metal territory pretty much evaporated.
Metal Constructions VII yet again sports a very strong rhythm section that provides those important guardrails to hold it all together. And on this construct, the lead guitars soar with often extensive riffing. But one of the strengths here are the solos. And you find them in the most unexpected places. For instance, Father, the kinda strange power ballad/speed metal combo, whelped a pretty sublime one, much to our surprise. Or try Never Die with an anemic bass solo that’s graciously saved by the lead guitar with its own stellar contribution. The record also sports truly remarkable gems like Nightfall with its heavy meaty stomp and yet another powerful solo.
Unfortunately, taking mighty breaks in between albums can also become a band’s foe. Metal Constructions VII sports a lengthy airtime of some 62 minutes. To avoid tracklist bloat, it is always a good idea to brutally cull songs off the list that should not be there. And here, Marauder‘s lack to attention knocked a point or two off the rating.
Ultimately though, Metal Constructions VII sends a load of thoroughly written Heavy Metal our way. And that’s – again – proof that the genre ain’t dead. Of course, this ain’t prog and you’ll find a bunch of well-known tropes. But then, who are we kidding? This is what we came here for anyway.
So, hail to Marauder for another rock-solid Heavy Metal album that reaches us from their sunny Greek shores. May we meet one day during a concert in an ancient ruined city under the Southern sun to thunderous riffs and abject metallic debauchery. Sounds just about right to us.
Record Rating: 7/10 | Label: Pitch Black Records | Web: Facebook (band)
Release Date: 10 March 2023
- The Odd Footnote!
- He only featured as a guest contributor on Marauder’s last album.-↩