SEPTER
Septer - Transgressor (Imperial
Rage) 2004
1. "Die By The Axe"
(4:27)
2. "Transgressor" (4:16)
3. "Blood And Dishonor" (5:33)
4. "You Better Believe" (5:33)
5. "Tonight" (4:00)
6. "Vesuvious" (4:18)
7. "Slipping Away" (4:01)
8. "Last Days" (3:27)
Wow! It's always nice to discover a true metal gem like this when you aren't really expecting much. I ordered this CD from CDBaby a couple years ago. For some unknown reason, it got stuck in a box of CDs that I have yet to review or even listen to for that matter. Such a crime. "Transgressor" is solid, ragin' heavy metal in the vein of band like Jag Panzer, Sanctuary or even early Fates Warning. This CD is packed full of solid musicianship, catchy tunes, shredding guitar solos and high, soaring, aggressive vocals. At times some of the guitar solos remind me of Malmsteen or Uli Roth, although the music is in no way comparable to the neo-classical metal associated with those two guitarists. The title track gave me that same chill that I got when I first heard songs like "Queen or the Ryche" and "Battle Angels" back in the day. This is real metal. I've read a few complaints about the production, and while it may be a tad uneven, it's certainly not bad. Actually, I think the band may have intentionally gone for that old school metal sound. If that be the case, they achieved it.