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BY FIRE & SWORD
Glory

No Remorse (2023)
Rating: 8.5/10

Peculiarities abound with this release as By Fire & Sword dish out unorthodox power metal led by the intriguing warbles of vocalist The Reverend (aka Tom Newby). The Boise, Idaho-based band has existed for six years but this is their long-awaited debut full-length and one that should attract a lot of attention due to its quirks.

Sure, a plethora of new bands are attempting to recreate that stuffy 80s vibe although not everyone gets the ingredients correct, but these oddballs have concocted a rather extraordinary entity. Nods to Pentagram with the simply stark chugs, flecks of that mystical Wytch Hazel vibe, the more expected Iron Maiden lopes, sprigs of Ghost, but also their own brand of high strangeness which boasts wisps of 70s rock too.

Due to its rather organic and obscure nature, Glory also veers into European, particularly Scandinavian, 80s metal territory, and the sound is very much a pastiche of styles that at times, and especially lyrically, border on parody. How these guys merge dreamy pop details with steely metal fluff is a joy to behold, especially with the unusual melodies and vocal tones. The last time I heard a more recent band tap into such strategies was with Wanton Attack.

As the opus unravels you get a sense that By Fire & Sword are somewhat trolling epic power metal bands but doing a better job at it than their peers. Through its bright and breezy production, Glory remains a silky and satirical masterclass led by a sinister pastor who warns the planet of the uprising of his formidable and cranky cult. Riddled with odd fluctuations and littered with a menacing ease, songs such as ‘Mind, Body, Soul (Total War)’ and ‘Dear Reverend (Please Take My Hand)’ effortlessly merge prog rock uncertainty with a weird mix of Slough Feg and Blind Guardian.

Albums like this don’t come along very often but when they do it’s important to delve into every nook in an attempt to decipher its familiar yet uncanny powers. By Fire & Sword… enigmatically bonkers.

Neil Arnold

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