乐队列表 Heavy Metal Gallows End Promo 2008

“Well, we really don’t have any ambitions to break new ground with our music, our main goal is to write good quality music and have a good time while doing it you know” states Gallows End’s mastermind Thord in an interview. Well, they definitely can achieve their first goal, and I can only wish that they’ll achieve the latter as well!
The 3-track demo reviewed here was recorded by Thord (guitar, vocals) alone as all instruments and vocals were performed by him. The Sweden-based band, has since recruited 3 more members and are preparing an album. I cannot, therefore, comment on their present status, although from another G.E.’s song that’s been available I can assume that their direction hasn’t changed. And which is this direction? Straightforward Heavy Metal! Iron Maiden and Gamma Ray are hailed as Gods here! Armored Saint, Running Wild, Accept and Co can claim the paternity of this project. The 80’s spirit is all-around, giving instructions on the sound and arrangements of the songs. Not that they omit the passing of over 20 years since then (the production meets today’s standards and their ideas sound fresh, although not ground-breaking), but they’re more “Heavy” than “Power”, in a sense that they reminded me of good old Helloween rather than modern Stratovarius.
The fact that this material has been composed solely by a guitarist means that emphasis has been given to riffs and solos. Indeed, the guitar work of this demo is really good and shouldn’t envy other, better-known acts. The songs are mainly mid-tempo with outbursts of speed every now and then. The themes change quite often and the result is far from monotonous. The vocals are fair and down-to-Earth, avoiding high-pitched-terrors; they could, however, be improved since the singer has kept his post for future releases! Maybe, more confidence would help, as the voice per se stands fine.
All in all, it is a quite promising sample, and the addition of new members shall, hopefully, elevate the band a few steps upwards. The first signs were fine. The debate whether Traditional Metal now-days should or shouldn’t try to broaden any of its horizons is another story. This is quality Metal that can be fun we’re talking about here!

For a “one-man-band-demo”: 17/20