Heavy Is the Head

By now, it's no secret yours truly has momentarily foregone the eternal joys of heavy metal, having traded them in for the latest in playstation-able high tech visual thrills (which, to cynical detriment and scoffing scorn of a fellow, none-too-evil resident gamer, will soon witness ever-belated advent of long purported albeit finally realized Dead Island Deux). However, this doesn't mean I won't stick my neck out from time to time with yet another "NWOTHM" offering in tow, namely Children Of The Reptile and its third, equally estranged full-length, Heavy Is The Head...thanks to gravity defiant crown.

Hailing from un-Murdaugh corrupted North Carolina, these seasoned cold bloods consist of Mega Colossian front man Chris Millard on guitar/backing vocals, Ozzie Darden on lead vocals/guitar, David Hufham on bass and Chase Kelly on drums. As such, it's no surprise, but more of a boon the band sounds like a harder and grittier Knightmare or Mega Colossus, further fondly catalogued Tar Heel acts. Also, aside from minute long instrumental intro "Delvers In Darkness", the remaining eight tracks average about five minutes each, allowing for ample deviation from light born scripture while still paying homage to said spin-off bands' penchant for colorfully rocking melody.

For want of an additional comparison, fans of the semi-Swede/semi-Californian Cloven Altar will fall for Ozzie's breezy and genial mid-range, as it skirts similarly languid lines as Dustin Umberger's, right down to Reptile Children's fantastical, combative lyrics. Opening pair proper "Warriors Of The Light" and "Burner" take flight in a most auspicious, ear bending manner, both benefitting from accelerated tempos whilst remaining in traditional camp, diligently abstaining from "speed" metal turf . Faint whiffs of old school Iron Maiden rear their pierced head, notably on sanguine single contender "Silent Circle", the most "accessible" slice of this motley bunch.

A couple of long(er) winded carousels ensue with partially balladic-but-soon-crimson-as-Magik's Limbo "Fear The Old Blood" (no relation to Wolfenstein derivation) and top chrono-buster "Seven Days Of Fire". The former takes a bit to orient the wind in its sails; soon enough, gentle acoustic genuflections give way to poignant, angst ridden release in the form of tastefully restrained tremolo mixed in with super slick pinch harmonics, followed by sharply wizened twin turbo soloing. A crunchier captaining ensues on the latter, my least preferred track due to its incongruously ominous, at times thrashy pacing which includes a dark and foreboding, down-picked a la Metallica bridge section, as well as oh-so-slapdash lead break. Heavy bangs the head...

For Knightmare freaks, "Last Words (Ruin's Ride)" proves a wicked treat as lone cut below five minutes, with more of a feel-good, sunsetting and road bound atmosphere. Meshing the best elements of aforementioned heroes, I'm invariably enchanted and spellbound by its fresh, non-committal levity and sinuously bewitching solo which procure a welcome respite ahead of combustive high-gear combo of "Adventurers" and "Oath To Order", both fair weather rippers in their own reputably discographic rights. In conclusion, despite having taken several spins to duly appreciate, it's my heavenly duty to report on and recommend Children Of The Reptile's Heavy Lies The Head.