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CHARONS CLAW
Streets Of Calimport

MetalFighters (2022)
Rating: 7/10

Although being in existence for seven years, Greek trio Charons Claw finally gets round to releasing its debut full-length outing, Streets Of Calimport.

I dig the cover as it reminds me of a sword n’ sorcery novel or adventure game from the 80s, and after staring at the artwork for some time I hoped the music would be as good. Yep, Charons Claw delivers the goods with solid Dungeons & Dragons metal for the headbanging nerds.

The title track comes rattling out of the alleyways like an old horse-drawn cart concealing a local thief amongst the fruit and vegetables; locals are strewn as the vehicle rumbles through tight, winding lanes to the flicker of distant fires and the waft of autumnal breeze. It’s strong galloping metal propelled by John Soti’s powerful vocals. Apostolos Pappas’s guitar tone is effective and steely, shifting between New Wave Of British Heavy Metal-inspired gallops and slower, pensive selections, while Loukas Liato’s drums provide a strudy backbone.

The band isn’t afraid to pick up the pace either, bordering on a Metal Church-style of aggression where it wouldn’t surprise you if you were hit by a thrashy outburst. The likes of ‘Log Out’ boast a degree of menace, haste and again mesmeric axe work, and Soti displays his vocal variances as he opts for higher pitched cries.

Every single one of the eight tracks on offer bubbles along nicely, but ‘Yharaskrik (The Mind Flayer’ stands out, feeling epic and steady in its groove and is happy to shift into faster divisions. Meanwhile, ‘The Jackal’ rumbles with a fluid darkness.

All can say is that this is a straight-up metal record that wouldn’t have seemed out of place alongside the likes of Meliah Rage back in the 80s but with a strong NWOBHM kick, because Charons Claw always remain hard in their sound, punchy and versatile in the vocal department but steely musically. This one deserves a vinyl release because that cover needs to be dived into.

Neil Arnold

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