Franklin Pennsylvania’s Argus really caught my attention with their excellent self titled debut album in 2009.  It was an album that struck the perfect balance between traditional heavy metal and doom, and a great way for these guys to start their career.  Needless to say, I was really excited when I heard that a second album was in the works.  Argus haven’t really changed their sound on Boldly Stride The Doomed, picking up exactly where they left off stylistically.  The only real question that I had after my initial listen was whether or not this batch of songs would have the same staying power as the last.

Boldly Stride The Doomed features eight proper songs sandwiched between two tasteful instrumentals.  Of those eight songs, there are three absolute gems, with the rest of the album ranging from just above average to good.  The album’s first real highlight comes three tracks in with “Wolves of Dusk“, a song that deftly blends a powerful Maiden inspired gallop with classic lead-melting doom riffing.  “Durendal” is another winner, a big mid-paced battle chant with great vocal hooks and infectious guitar work. “Pieces of Your Smile” is pretty much a pure doom song, it crawls along at an agonizingly slow pace for nearly 10 minutes before ending with a brief burst of up-tempo aggression.  Argus did a great job of conveying the grief and rage that one feels when a loved one is lost, making me almost wish that they would spend a little more time exploring this pure doom metal sound.  The rest of the album moves between doom and classic heavy metal seemingly at will, with nothing feeling out of place or excessive.  Vocalist Butch Balich turns in a strong performance, working primarily in the middle of his range, but adding a few accents where appropriate.  The prominence of Andy Ramage’s bass in the mix is nice to see, and really adds a unique dimension to the Argus sound.

I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed with Boldly Stride The Doomed, but that isn’t so much an indictment of the album as an indication of how strong the debut was.   Argus pretty much did everything right again, the only difference being my preference for their last batch of songs over this one.  They just seem to have a knack for hitting the sweet spot in between traditional metal and doom, creating a sound that is equal parts uplifting and depressing.   A good reference point for the blend between the two styles would be the last two (not the newest) albums by The Gates of Slumber.  Argus have a slightly more busy sound though, and almost resemble Slough Feg in spots.  Anybody who just enjoys good honest heavy metal needs to check these guys out right away.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Abandoning The Gates Of Byzantium
2.  A Curse On The World
3.  Wolves Of Dusk
4.  The Ladder
5.  Durendal
6.  42-7-29
7.  Boldly Stride The Doomed
8.  Fading Silver Light
9.  Pieces Of Your Smile
10.  The Ruins Of Ouroboros

Total playing time:  54:27

Release Date: May 3, 2011
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music

Argus - Boldly Stride the Doomed

Reviewer: Garett

May 20, 2011