Gallows End - Nemesis Divine

July 27, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Sweden is fast becoming a driving force of traditional heavy metal, literally cornering the market these days with some brilliant bands tapping into that Judas Priest/Accept/Iron Maiden reserve long-thought depleted.

Gallows End emerges from the cold shores of Scandinavia with Nemesis Divine, a throwback to the age of leather-and-spikes metal that once ruled the concert parking lots and shopping malls back in the eighties. For whatever reason this writer is being slowly drawn back into such a wonderfully primitive era like a fat kid to a taffy apple and it feels good! When a band like Gallows End, Enforcer or Steelwing grabs that coveted metal mantle and swings it with full force you can count on the scene not only thriving but regaining rightful prominence. Unlike power metal which all sounds like Blind Guardian and Hammerfall with little or no variation in sound or resonance, this traditional sound is making its way back into the minds of metal fans young and old again.

Gallows End began as a one-man band, but once the fold was rounded out to a four-piece the stage was set for something special sorely missed and needed in the genre of late. With strong tracks eerily reminiscent of Judas Priest’s early eighties output up to Screaming for Vengeance and Accept’s Restless and Wild the band has harnessed the essence of the sound that made our beloved music both commercially viable and staunchly lasting. The title track is about as heavy as a crane lifting an anvil, only to drop in onto your brand new Dodge Viper, complete with heavy riffs and some impressive vocalization during the chorus verse. While Thord Klarstrom is no Rob Halford (hey, who is?) he hold his own along the likes of a more modern Kai Hansen.

The production is top-notch and the band sweeps galloping riffs across the room like Cinderella in the fireplace, magically conjuring images of a time long considered dead or dated by many outside the realm. Thankfully bands like Gallows End are holding high the banner, and Sweden has fast become the newly-christened home base for the old-school sound. Not everything from that part of the world is dark and wrought with evil. 

The entire CD has such redeeming qualities, but the standouts to my ears are the title track, “The Curse”, “Kingdom of the Damned” and “Storm of Fate”. The heavy metal sound made famous in 1980 is emerging again and rather than seeking shelter we should let the deluge fall over us and enjoy every inspired note.

Release Date: June 25th, 2010
Label: Farvahar Records LLC/
Nightmare Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Nemesis Divine (Trial of the Gods)
2.  Soul Collector
3.  Kingdom of the Damned
4.  No Return
5.  The Curse
6.  Set the World in Flames
7.  Not Your Own
8.  Different Eyes
9.  The End
10.  The Unborn Flag
11.  Storm of Fate
12.  Riders of the North

Total playing time:  59:06

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