Album Review: Emblem – Emblem

Emblem – Emblem
2017
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Speed Metal / Traditional Heavy Metal

Emblem is the newest band spearheaded by Newfoundland heavy metal alumnus Harry “Hawk Emblem” Clarke and, much like his previous band Fireign and other current project, Allagash, the debut release from this group of warrior metallers is anything but a snooze-fest.

The album launches into it’s opening riff with no pussyfooting around. From the first second it’s straight into classic speed metal riffage, driving drums and thundering bass. “The Exorcist” begins with a short but quick drum intro that lets the listener know just what is in store for them for the rest of this eight track record. No bullshit, all metal is the name of the game for the boys from downhome.

From “The Exorcist” we head into “Witch Eagle” which makes itself known via a soaring guitar lead that plays over a descending series of power chords in the background, a classic trope of the genre. This song could have easily been single material if it had been released back in the late 1970s.

The dual axe assault of Drew Knee (who looks like he should have been in Mercyful Fate during their heyday) and John Cooper (a true ginger viking if I’ve ever seen one) forms the backbone of this album. Their riffs and solos are what make this worth a listen for any speed metal fan, especially those who are fans of Manilla Road, Manowar, Cirith Ungol and of course, late career Judas Priest. I would be remiss if I neglected to mention drummer Jon Singleton who adds a significant amount to this album. His drumming is nothing to scoff at as she showcases superb ability from start to finish on this record.

The album is littered with great melodies but every now and then a song will throw “that” part at me. You know what I’m talking about. That part of the song that you really wait for. The part that you eagerly anticipate but is only repeated once or twice throughout the track’s length. The part that makes you want to break your neck. One of these parts comes for me during the post-chorus riff of “Soldiers of Steel”. You’ll know it when you hear it.

“The Mountain Trail” is far and away my favorite song on this album. The chorus has a melody that rings true to the old 80s style. It reminds me of Iron Maiden’s darker songs like “Powerslave”. The cymbal muting and the melody that follows the chorus into the bridge is also reminiscent of Maiden in that era of their career. There’s not much else I can say about it other than that it’s awesome. “Plants That Heal”, however, has a chorus that rivals that of “The Mountain Trail” as Clarke shouts over the sustained power chords “Who will hear your applause?” (at least I think that’s what he’s saying, the lyrics aren’t provided on the band’s Bandcamp).

“Castle of Oak” is perhaps the most bombastic of all songs on Emblem. The opening riffs wreak of a viking charge or a classic medieval battle sequence. It wouldn’t sound out of place if it was tuned down and played by Amon Amarth. Truth be told the entire album evokes images of medieval warriors, especially the Englishmen, fighting a grotesque war for feudalism. It rings true to the label of ‘battle metal’ that bands like Turisas or Manowar have adopted.

My only gripes about this LP are that perhaps Clarke needs to work more on his vocals. His melodies are great but it feels like he doesn’t have as much control over them as he wants to. As a result the recordings kind of sound “off” at times. The other gripe is that some of the songs are a bit too long. They would have worked better as shorter, four minute bangers instead of six to seven minute slogs. Don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking the band’s talent or ability to compose. I simply think that perhaps they should dial back the length on a few tracks and maybe have one or two really long ones. That would have made the album more enjoyable to listen to in my opinion. All in all, though, this is a superb debut from a band that I hope continues to be a defining presence in the annals of Newfoundland heavy metal history.

Final Verdict: 8/10

Favorite Tracks:
“Soldiers of Steel”
“The Mountain Trail”
“Castle of Oak”

For Fans Of:
Mercyful Fate
Manilla Road
Manowar

~ Akhenaten