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GREYHAWK
Call Of The Hawk EP

Fighter (2022)
Rating: 8/10

There’s plenty of sword ’n’ sorcery afoot here as Seattle’s best kept secret, Greyhawk, unleashes it’s new EP, Call Of The Hawk.

Glinting blades, clashing swords, epic journeys and mist shrouded mountains are what you need to accompany you through your quest. Turn five leafy pages and immerse yourself in enchantment as ‘Steelbound’, ‘Call Of The Hawk’, ‘Demon Star’, ‘Shattered Heart’ and ‘Take The Throne’ stride with wonderment through mystical pastures and glistening meadows of mystery.

This quintet knows how to craft a riveting sound via their ancient spell book that creates driving New Wave Of British Heavy Metal structures and fiery power metal moods.

The bass clanks harden ‘Steelbound’, where the guitars sound nostalgic, warm and antique as vocalist Rev Taylor concocts a Jim Morrison-style of brooding. Meanwhile, the catchy groove of the title track exudes extra vim and presence with the percussion rattling nicely as bands such as Visigoth spring to mind.

Greyhawk have a familiar groove, but it’s one which charms. ‘Demon Star’ begins like some classic 80s Yngwie Malmsteen before galloping hard. Everything feels Gothic yet graceful, beats vibrating to the flapping wings of huge circling eagles. “Stoke the fire, bring the mixture to a steady boil…” crowns Rev as ‘Shattered Heart’ trundles with nostalgic aplomb as again the bass rattles nicely.

Closer ‘Take The Throne’ maintains a steady pace, a sense of the epic and brooding prevails, with hints of Rhapsody perhaps, but to the warmth of night side fiery embers.

So all told, this is a rich tapestry of a release, beaming with fantasy aesthetics and joyfully triumphant in its sound, and one best experienced in an old inn after a hearty meal and to the added crackle of a roaring fire.

If mystical, fantasy-obsessed metal is your thing, then send a raven to pick up a copy of this EP now.

Neil Arnold

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