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SCROLLKEEPER
Path To Glory EP

Self-released (2018)
Rating: 7/10

With their debut EP Path To Glory, Texan warriors Scrollkeeper provide a power metal / traditional metal attack born from 80s worship and steeled by a really strong, brooding guitar sound.

The opening rage of ‘Not Of This Earth’ is a no frills yet effective barnstormer fuelled by the excellent axe dynamics of John Morris and Alexander Kamburov. The guitarists create walls of Gothic splendour whereby effortless blazing solos are injected, wafting through the thick, black smoke that is also fanned by hefty drum barrage of Simon Marfleet and those grisly vocal snarls of Justin McKittrick. Scrollkeeper are a sort of homage to mid table 80s metal exploits; the whole sonic force earthy in nature and formed under some rock.

Clouds of doom brew over the galloping chug of the tidy yet stirring title cut, which comes daubed in drizzle and stuffiness as the riffs engage nicely with the drums and that solid bass rumble of Will Sullivan. Injections of pace exist within the murk before the band resorts back to steady pummelling; moss coating all instruments in a rather British sensibility as tales of sword, sorcery and armies are sent forth to ominous bell tolls and flocks of cackling crows. It’s that sort of striding, medieval metal that does exactly as the tapestry foretold; the posse intent on not shifting from its smoke-choked inn as a thrashy outburst commences and toys with a gleaming, ascending solo.

‘Surrender’ builds with a nice tumble of drums, and a sense of the majestic overcomes us as the band steadies itself like a great vessel on foaming seas. This is Scrollkeeper creating a solid yet subtle soundtrack of simmering designs where Justin McKittrick bellows orders from the bow of the ship, ordering his men to adhere to his commands while the smoky guitar trickles effectively behind. Again we’re in rather stereotypical mid-80s metal mode, but I can’t argue with such sincere expressions.

The punky ‘Fortune Favors The Bold’ does come as more of a surprise. On this one the guys inject doses of pace and pure molten metal steams, whereby solos emerge from black plumes of riffage and the drums and bass collide like great, smarting gods.

Overall, this is good, high energy stuff that leaves you wanting more. This EP then is an ideal taster for what is sure to be a cracking debut full-length offering from Scrollkeeper who, as their name suggests, are a clan driven by mysticism, bravery and straight up metal meanderings. Power metal, New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, and thrash all exist within this goblin-haunted realm, and while not all avenues are without danger, they are sure to lead to grandeur and that’s the joy of such solid heavy metal stirrings.

Neil Arnold

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