With Metal model Lora Leigh ghoulishly sexing up her second Caldron cover in a row, it’s a little hard to focus on the band’s NWOR(etro)HM bite.  While Burning Fortune unfortunately doesn’t show as much skin, it is fortunately much better than 2009’s Chained to the Nite. The doomy Dokken meets Grim Reaper routine of that album left most folks focusing on trying to get a glimpse of what was under those few chains covering Leigh. Burning Fortune doesn’t really change the band’s style or sound, but unloads 9 catchy Traditional Metal tracks that will actually distract from focusing cover model.

Opener “All or Nothing” rips open and rocks out. Vocalist/bassist Jason Decay gives a better performance and Ian Chains’ six strings sizzle. “Miss You To Death” slows down the pace but gives a slightly heavier riffs with some catchy vocal hooks.  This song could have easily fit on any pre-1988 Ozzy Osbourne album. “Frozen in Fire” roars with a great grinding bass and a hustling pace and a solo most could have sworn was handled by Jake E. Lee.  “Tears Have Come” gets a little sappy with the lyrics, but the pre-chorus hook and the thumping bass shows Cauldron knows how to resurrect what made 80’s Heavy Metal so unique. “I Confess” stretches the limits of Decay’s vocals and “Rapid City/Unchained Assault” channels Motorhead. In fact, this is where Burning Fortune picks up and shows Cauldron has a few more tricks up their sleeves. The faster pace really suits the band and Chain’s shredding on the second half of the track is top shelf.

“Queen of Fire” lets the band’s Doom influence show but some of the haunting guitars seem to channel the stranger sounds from Samhain and Danzig. Things get much heavier with the grinding “Breaking Through.” Decay again pushes his vocals and the chunky and slightly Thrash-friendly riffs simply slay.  Album closer “Taken By Desire” fuses the crunch of the previous songs and fuses it with the more traditionally 80’s slant that exudes from most of Caludron’s music.

While Cauldron still has room for improvement, Burning Fortune has this weird ability to get stuck in your head. The album actually grows with repeated listens. This can be chalked up to better song writing and the band growing (or reverting) into the genre. Of the plethora of Retro/Traditional Metal bands springing up, Cauldron proves to be the slightly macabre group of the genre that knows a hot chick on the cover will help get their music some attention.  Recommended for fans of Enforcer and Holy Grail.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  All or Nothing
2.  Miss You To Death
3.  Frozen in Fire
4.  Tears Have Come
5.  I Confess
6.  Rapid City/Unchained Assault
7.  Queen of Fire
8.  Breaking Through
9.  Taken By Desire

Total playing time:  38:24

Release Date: February 14, 2011
Label: Earache Records

Cauldron - Burning Fortune

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

April 15, 2011