Horns up. We are at war
If you are a heavy metal band from Birmingham, then let us suggest that you need balls the size of Ozzy’s 1970s drugs bill to attempt adding something to the NWOBHM pot.
Step forward Disarm Goliath.
Veritable veterans on the scene – their first album emerged almost a decade ago. This is their third opus, and the follow up to the brilliant 2012 “Born To Rule” they have every right to be confident, and as they put it themselves: “Nothing can stop Disarm Goliath now – Not even the devil himself…”
No pressure then.
But then, give it about 10 seconds of the opening “Descent To Madness” and you are joining them in raising the middle finger to Beelzebub, a gallop of the highest order as the twin guitars of Steve Beville and Anthony Ellis mesh brilliantly.
As things are out of the blocks already, they might as well up the ante and “A Good Day For The Crows” does just that, with Steve Bell given the chance to explore his astonishing vocal range.
There are some moments of sheer class amongst “…..War’s” nine songs – the ambitious “Oceans Of Space” not least among them, as it echoes Maiden at their most stadium filling. “Old As Sin” is so mighty it’s like taking a bulldozer to Legoland and delivers its goods like a snarling version of Judas Priest. “Redemption In Blood” is darker and more Angel Witchy and there is something truly special about the dirty, almost biker grooves of “Soul Destroyer”.
“Two Worlds” is the slowest thing on offer, offering a more doom filled slice of fun, but it does its monolithic business as though lives depend on it. Things end as they began, though – and why not – with a fists in the air gallop of the highest order and if Grand Magus had written “Wrath Of The Gods” it’d probably get them on the cover of Metal Hammer.
But Disarm Goliath probably know the score, indeed, mention of the greatest band in the world – this is fact, not up for debate and it’s Iron Maiden by the way – which happened earlier was always going to come at some point, given that they are the best exponents of this sound. However, whereas some might say to make this type of record in 2016 might be derivative, doesn’t that pre-suppose that the band themselves aren’t aware that they sound like their heroes? Rather, in “Wisdom And War” Disarm Goliath have made something that is more than an homage. It is a fine heavy metal record in its own right from a band that given a little more luck (and probably money too) could have been truly massive. As it is the mainstream’s loss is the underground’s gain.
Rating 8.5/10
