Paganize - Evolution Hour
Candlelight USA - CDL306 – February 20, 2007
By Wayward_Son
A disclosure must be made here, Faithful Reader. That revelation is that this writer is indifferent towards traditional heavy metal, for the most part. Having grown up on bands such as
Metallica,
Megadeth,
Suicidal Tendencies, and of course
Black Sabbath (Ozzy era, of course), traditional heavy metal bands were skipped over (though a notable exception will always be
Fight’s
War of Words). This in turn simply paved the way to discovering death and black metal, always diverting away from the higher-pitched vocal style of stalwarts like
Iron Maiden and
Judas Priest.
Here to laugh in the face of that indifference are Norway’s
Paganize. To even further mock this writer’s attitude towards traditional metal is the presence of one of black metal’s finest drummers. None other than ex-
Enslaved,
Emperor, and
Zyklon skinsman Trym Torson is behind the kit throughout the duration of
Evolution Hour. While that may make it more interesting to hear
Evolution Hour, it always comes down to the music as a whole.
Paganize is not out to set the world of traditional metal afire. However, nor are they a retro act. Instead, the band goes about their business and plays well-constructed heavy metal. This is guitars, drums, bass, and a heavy metal
singer doing what they do and having a blast doing it. Everything sounds crystal clear, though toning down the vocalist might be in the band’s best interest. More than a few times this writer was nodding along with the rhythms and enjoying
Paganize’s pounding heavy metal.
Evolution Hour does taper off towards the end of the album, as everything the band wants to show you is displayed by halfway through the album.
There is not much more to say about
Paganize, Faithful Reader. Some fans of this style will find
Paganize to be generic, and they very well could be. Others will discover a new band playing an old style and take it for it is. Or like this writer, you can remain indifferent.
Official Paganize Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
