I saw Iron Maiden last night with my brother. A few years back, we went to see a band called Marah, who also had two brothers, and decided on the back of this to form a band. The gig was in Nottingham, and we lived an hour or so away. By the time we’d gotten home, my brother had looked at vans on the internet, and the band had split up on the grounds of us having no musical talent at all. However, the reason for all this talk of siblings and music is the fact that Withering Scorn is the reunion of the Drovers. Drummer Shaun and guitarist Glen are back together – and given that they have brought Fates Warning’s Bass player Joe DiBiase and ex-Firewind man Henning Basse to sing, there’s plenty to anticipate. And as “Prophets of Demise” unfolds, there’s much to get excited about.
“Prophets of Demise” – the track itself rather than the album – presents a big epic metal sound, reminiscent of the muscular style not far off Symphony X’s old ballpark. The guitar work from Glen Drover is sensational, showcasing his immense talent throughout the album. The groove of “The Vision” leans more towards the power metal style associated with Henning Basse. “Pick Up The Pieces” is a change of pace, reminiscent of Judas Priest’s iconic “Painkiller” era, with its relentless heaviness.
Only eight songs – they obviously were only interested in quality and not filler – but my goodness, its a cracker. “Ancient Desire” takes on an epic journey, blending captivating soundscapes with chugging metal riffs. “Dark Reflection” features hints of the Megadeth influence that the Drover brothers are known for, complemented by harsh, modern almost metalcore vocals. In “Dethroned,” all the elements come together perfectly.
“Never Again” showcases the record’s riff-driven nature, accompanied by a fist-pumping chorus that begs for audience participation. If given the chance, Basse’s powerful vocals would surely demand a “Scream For Me!” response. “Eternal Screams” brings us full circle, effortlessly embracing an epic atmosphere that resonates with the listener.
Yes, the quartet is deeply rooted in metal, but “Prophets of Demise” surpasses expectations in its remarkable execution. It’s evident that the band poured their hearts and souls into the creation of this record. As Shaun Drover said, “We hope you like the record as much as we did creating it.” This album embodies the essence of four passionate musicians doing what my brother and I wanted to do all those years back: making records just because. The difference is, Withering Scorn possesses the skill and talent to pull it off.
Rating 8.5/10
