Anchorite - Realm of Ruin

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Anchorite is a metal band of international origins that formed in 2018; their latest release, “Realm of Ruin,” is their second full-length album.

While it does have plenty of slower parts, it also has a lot of mid and fast paced passages as well, making this one a strong representation of both doom and epic, heavy metal.  Every song is great with a lot of catchy parts and full of soaring vocals and riffs for days.  


The production is shiny and clear but it works for the album because it allows the vocals to shine through, provides the drums with a sharp, crisp feel and doesn’t keep the bass from being heard behind the riffs.  


At times their sound has a NWOBHM feel to it, especially in the beginning of the opening song, “Realm of Ruin.”  Before the 30 second mark has even passed, the band turns itself into a powerful machine that churns out powerful rhythms and clean, melodic vocals that complement the atmosphere perfectly.  The solos kick ass too and appear very natural out of the riffs—nothing worse than a forced guitar solo but these guys know how to present them correctly.  After the 4-minute mark, the song slows down for one of the song’s best moments: crushing riffs that bring with them powerful drums and vocals.


The album takes a more old-school doom approach with “Devil On The Throne.”  Damn those opening riffs are groovy as hell!  This song has a lot of confidence, a sort of psychedelic swagger: this band means business and no matter which elements of their style they center on, it’s always going to be a good time.  


The album takes a faster tempo approach with the rocking “Room In The Mirror,” that sounds like a modern power metal song on steroids.  The main riffs are catchy, as well as the solos.  This song is the full package, even incorporating brief usage of extreme vocals.  


My favorite song is the final beast, “Kingdom Undone.”  It opens with a huge bass drop and wonderfully melodic guitars.  It’s just sorrowful enough without losing that epic grip. The chorus is an earworm too and not soon forgotten.  The solos nail the mood of the song, being both melodic and downtrodden at the same time.  


“Ream of Ruin,” is an album that will appeal to both fans of doom and traditional metal because it really does meld the two styles together in an effective way.  It has a enough energy and style to make the old school crowd head bang like it’s 1981 but doomy enough for riff worshipers to bow at the band’s considerable altar. 


Rating: Great













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