Jaldaboath - Rise of the Heraldic Beasts

September 21, 2010

Reviewer: Peter

And now for something completely different: a band that includes Monty Python as one of its musical influences.  Wait a second…that doesn’t quite sound right.  A metal band that counts Monty Python as one of its influences?  That is exactly what Jaldaboath boasts in its bio, and with their debut album Rise of the Heraldic Beasts, it shows.

When listening to Rise of the Heraldic Beasts, it almost sounds like an episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus in that the songs are somewhat varied and doesn’t have much in the way of continuity with one another.  However, like the show, the album is also quite addictive and leaves the listener wanting more.  Imagine after the “It’s” guy from the show opening with his usual line, the opening track “Hark the Herald” blares.  Okay, so it isn’t exactly “Liberty Bell” by John Phillip Souza, but the grandiosity in which the track starts is good for the album in that it introduces the listener to Jaldaboath.  Most of Rise of the Heraldic Beasts is over the top in its delivery, which can both turn off some listeners and be addicting to others.  “Bash the Bishop” sounds like a strange combination of any Alestorm song and AC/DC’s “Big Balls,” which given the context that the song title could be taken for, sounds appropriate.  “Seek the Grail” constitutes the band’s tribute to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and could also have been used in the killer rabbit scene.  In fact, much of the album would be at home providing a soundtrack to a Renaissance Fair reenactment, with songs such as “Bring Me the Head of Metatron” and “Calling on all Heraldic Beasts” leading the way.  On the latter half of the album though, the vocals turn from a jovial sounding minstrel type of singing to a more serious, traditional metal sound.  It is here where the two styles seem to clash, which creates some identity crisis, particularly on “Da Vinci’s Code,” where the vocals don’t match up with the music as well as on the first half of the album.

Jaldaboath is a band that is both an acquired taste and at this point in their career, a novelty act.  The first half of Rise of the Heraldic Beasts shows the band at its best, with a sense of humor and a decent sound.  However, as the album heads towards the finish, the band suddenly tries for a more serious approach on vocals, to mixed results, at best.  Had the album been split into two EPs, then it would have been great for two releases.  However, trying to change styles during the album leads Rise of the Heraldic Beasts to be one just above average album.  If Jaldaboath can find what works best and stick with it for the duration of the album, then there is much to enjoy from the band.

Release Date: September 24, 2010
Label: Napalm Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Hark the Herald
2.  Calling on all Heraldic Beasts
3.  Bash the Bishop
4.  Seek the Grail
5.  Axe Wielding Nuns
6.  Jaldaboath
7.  Bring Me the Head of Metatron
8.  Jacque DeMolay
9.  March to Calvary
10.  Da Vinci’s Code

Total playing time:  40:20

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