Over their career so far – and MV has reviewed a couple of their records – San Francisco’s The Watchers (a sort of “supergroup”) have proved themselves to be one of the superior bands at the forefront of “new” classic heavy metal, if you will.
Six years since their last full-length record, they are back, and appropriately they take their time on the slow-building, slower-burning opener “Twilight/I Am The Dark”. When it does explode, though, it’s a mighty thing. And singer Tim Narducci (also one of the twin guitarists here) is perfect for the role.
Twin guitar is important too. There are not many brilliant metal bands that don’t have two guitarists and that sound is all over the brilliant gem that is “They Have No God.”
Roping in Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth, Death Angel, Y&T) to produce almost feels like they wanted to give it all they had, and across the nine tracks here, there’s some glorious stuff. The solo on “Garden Tomb”, the class of “Zodiac” are two such high points.
This being a Bay Area band it’d be a shame if there was no thrash element to it and “Haunt You When I’m Dead” has a touch of it, as Jeremy Von Epp on the guitar is sensational.
“Nyctophilia” is a brilliant record. Nothing more and nothing less. “Fightin’ Bleedin’” could have come off “Subhuman Race” era Skid Row, and “Taker” is another that adds a bit of colour to the groove. Think Orange Goblin at their slowest, it’s a crusher. Bass man Chris Lombardo and drummer Nick Benigno anchor the thing down so well.
And that’s all before the title track thunders, roars and snarls. It’s a beauty.
Maybe I am not very clever, but I didn’t know what “Nyctophilia” meant. I do know how to work Google though and it says apparently it is: “The condition of being very happy and comfortable in the dark: Nyctophilia is a condition that makes you want to sit in the dark all by yourself late at night, wide awake.”
Sorted then. If you do that, crack on. Just listen to this when you do.
Rating 9/10
