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MERCILESS LAW
The Holy Company

Stormspell (2022)
Rating: 7/10

The goofy cover artwork makes this sophomore outing look like some long-lost 80s thrash gem but inside this album leans to a slightly more power metal surge, although there are thrashy elements alongside traditional chimes too.

Merciless Law is the work of Chilean musician Pancho Ireland who has a fiery set of pipes on him and with this outing he’s carved another batch of rollicking, rattling heavy metal tunes only slightly let down by the programmed drums. But look beyond the lack of fills etc. and you’ll be rewarded with a storming eight track affair which, believe it or not, is the second full-length released this year!

I guess you could say this is fun yet powerful metal, and one has to be impressed with Pancho’s axe work as he throws crisp riffs at you alongside devilish soloing. Opener ‘Fly’ hammers like melodious thrash, ‘Shout’ brims with fiery menace, and ‘The Undying Fire’ is a molten slab of galloping metal paying homage to the 80s. The same can be said for the excellent ‘Warmakers’ although there’s extra dollops of pace with this one, while the title track and ‘Soul Eater’ once again showcase the axe work of Pancho.

Having not been previously familiar with Pancho Ireland’s work, The Holy Company comes as quite a pleasant surprise mostly due to its energy and fire. If you’re looking for consistently upbeat heavy metal then look no further than this wholesome batch of exuberant tunes.

Neil Arnold

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