Cursed Blade

Having by now supplanted cocaine as South America's primary export, heavy metal is alive and well in Ecuador, if the rising likes of Quito's Curse Breaker and Blade's Edge are any indication. Therefore, it's only natural both conjoin forces to offer its global consumers their split Cursed Blade release, a symbiotic ten tracker divided right down the middle between the two producers, one of which, Blade's Edge, is orchestrated by Curse Breaker axe man Sage Zavage, whose kick-ass couple's affair, Bitter Velvet, also intrigues in a similar vein as Norway's rustic albeit riveting Night League...

A bit of history here: back in '21, when I was first getting accustomed to writing "au naturel" - that is, without being blasted on jib (which makes for interesting but seemingly AI generated reading) - I came across Blade's Edge's lengthy Witch Spells EP and was blown away by Mister Zavage's genuine, windswept prose, not to mention killer guitar play. Rewind the tape a bit further to '19 and we find ourselves dancing a speedy jig to Curse Breaker's Breaking The Oath demo, itself an auspicious glimpse into as-of-yet realized, but soon largely fulfilled potential on behalf of these three related acts. Instead of cruising separate ways, the clan stuck together and doubled down on Cursed Blade, even going as far as capping each other's performances with a respective cover.

Apart from Curse Breaker front man Alan's vocals sounding higher pitched and "screamier" than Zavage's wildly inflected, lowbrow lunacy, there''s scarcely any difference musically, with fast, time warping riffs and sizzling, hair gel flaming leads outnumbering any instances of relaxed simplicity. The bass and drums are also heavy-hitting; accursed rhythm section of bassist Omarchets and drummer Andree Insane duly shines on the aptly named "High Intensity", whilst Sage and axe wielder-in-arms Adrian (non Smith) whip out the crimson carpet on openers "Black Flame" and "Ritual's Curse".

Beyond their superb "Witch Spells" cover, Curse Breaker tops out with "Warriors Of The Night". Although it fails to collect awards for its (in)genious title, portrays the dissolver of spells as a wise proponent of its increasingly popular craft - namely, no frills, pedal-to-the-metal trad metal straight from the horse's mouth. In other words, a ripping great time. No sooner than its mildly synthesized, future shook vibes dissipate, Blade's Edge roars to life once more with "Survivors", a fitting descriptor for any and all prevailing dream chasers the World over, including a year-plus free-of-meth yours truly.

On top of cracking one out of the park with Curse Breaker's vital hit "Destroyers", old school thrills are gleaned again as a surplus of winning originals, including "Lost On Her Spells" and "No Longer (Like Before)", make fine additions to Blade's Edge's song vault, which beckons a full-length more than ever. The former's razor sharp synchronicity reminds me of my 3 Inches Of Blood discovery days back in the late noughts (i.e. Battlecry Under A Winter Sun, Advance & Vanquish, Fire Up The Blades) while the latter's vintage glam element brings to unreserved mind the Ostrogophic likes of Germany's Viper Queen or Holland's Cobra Spell. For its part, "Sands Of Time" sounds like a departure from Sage's usual brand of meat and potatoes authenticity, at one point coasting power metal turf with his fresh classical soloing.

In short, I'm ecstatic this fetching ensemble of rockers is finally receiving due recognition.