Serpent Rider - The Ichor of Chimaera

There has been a resurgence lately of metal bands taking a more traditional approach. Personally, I have found the results to be mixed; it’s a hard genre to pull off it seems.  However, every now and then, a diamond in the rough is formed.  In this case it is Serpent Rider’s debut album, “The Ichor of Chimaera.”  

The best aspect of the album is it doesn’t focus on being epic or doom, which is what a lot of bands of this style try to do.  Serpent Rider simply plays balls to the walls metal–and I’m all here for it.  I love doom and epic stuff but it’s also refreshing to hear a band that doesn’t try to do anything but play heavy fucking metal.  Brandon’s riffs seem endless!  He and the other guitarist, Paul, know exactly when to pour on the old school heavy or when to throw in catchy melodies/harmonies.  Whether the tempo is slow, fast, or a mid-paced romp, the rhythm duo of bassist Brian and drummer Drake handle it all with a sterling approach. 

But I’d be lying if I said the MVP of the album wasn’t vocalist R. Villar.  I’ve always been a sucker for female cleans and hers are some of the best I’ve heard this year.  She’s powerful, emotive, and rolls with the punches.  

The opening song, “Steel Is The Answer,” will tell you everything you need to know about this album.  Villar singing the song’s title in the opening moments cuts hard and deep, coming off the guitars from the first few seconds of the song.  The main riff is catchy as hell, a mid-paced gallop that is open enough to let a flurry of other riffs behind the song together as it reaches for the huge chorus.  The melodic passage at the halfway point is memorable and gripping–plus the drums are insanely good here, adding some intensity to the moment while complimenting its best parts.

The title track is great, one of my favorites on the album.  The opening melodies and drums work insanely well together before the song settles into a heavy groove, with Villar’s vocals soaring high above it all.  The uptick in the tempo as the song reaches the halfway point is clever, adding just enough urgency to the proceedings without going overboard.  

“The Hero’s Spirit,” is another one of my favorites here.  Its slow and melodic passing is immediately convincing.  The best elements of the album have time to shine in this slower paced approach, especially the vocal harmonies.  The riffs are deep and the rhythms are tight and heavy.  What more do you want in a metal song?  

The final song, “In Spring,” is a banger of a way to end the album.  The rolling snare in the opening moments kicks the song off into high gear while Villar sings her ass off. The guitars/bass are frantic as they wind their way towards the fast paced mid-section, finishing the song off strongly with cleverly placed lead guitar.

Serpent Rider’s “The Ichor of Chimaera,” is a fantastic declaration that heavy metal is far from dead and still has a place in a scene that sometimes seems content on micromanaging subgenres.  Highly recommended. 

Rating: Excellent