Jump to content

Cirith Ungol- King of the Dead


Ikard

Recommended Posts

So, I won't lie to you guys. I had not heard of this band and had certainly never heard of this record before I glanced over another record in the Doom 101 thread and upon looking up the band I stumbled upon this gem. From the opening track (atom smasher) to the title track (king of the dead) the heaviness of this record is made apparent almost immediately. However what really stood out to me, even more so than the vocals (which were really unique I might add) was the bass playing. As a big fantasy nerd I definitely got a kick out of this record lyrically speaking. Overall while I would definitely categorize the band as closer to classic heavy metal than doom. Definitely would recommend and will be looking into further. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

wow -  Cirith Ungol...brings back sooo many memories of looking at their album covers and geeking out on the fantasy vibe. Old school D&D nerd here as well.!! I remember buying Grim Reapers See You In Hell and CU's King Of The Dead on the same day.

They were pretty bad though. We always joked around about how "unpolished" they were. I could only listen to one or two songs and then had to go to something else for a while. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, xUpTheIronsx said:

wow -  Cirith Ungol...brings back sooo many memories of looking at their album covers and geeking out on the fantasy vibe. Old school D&D nerd here as well.!! I remember buying Grim Reapers See You In Hell and CU's King Of The Dead on the same day.

They were pretty bad though. We always joked around about how "unpolished" they were. I could only listen to one or two songs and then had to go to something else for a while. 

See I find that endearing as someone who found value in the vocals of one Darby Crash (retrospectively of course, he died over a decade before my birth). Musically speaking I'm definitely more moved by the energy of a record than it's technical prowess. But I can definitely understand your point, especially regarding the vocals which are definitely the weakest point. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

I’ve been listening to this album repeatedly in the company truck, having recently downloaded it on the Spotify. I really love, and fully agree with what someone was saying about the bass. I remember the vocals from back in the day, having hear it in the school parking lot or some such I guess. They are weird and not actually ideal, but not ultimately  an obstacle to my enjoyment of the band. I also remember the album cover being used on an issue of Dragon magazine or perhaps a D&D module I saw in game stores in the 80’s.  Who ever made the paintings got double use from them from Cirith Ungol and TSR.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 6 months later...
14 hours ago, sunnywilson09 said:

 I remember the vocals from back in the day, having hear it in the school parking lot or some such I guess. They are weird and not actually ideal, but not ultimately  an obstacle to my enjoyment of the band.

that is my story and I'm sticking to it. Pretty sure it was coming out of a red Camero but maybe it was a trans am.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...