Protectors of the Lair

If you have not heard this genuine gem, shame on you for missing out on true heavy metal's heart and jewel throne. One must be forgiven to feel excited about the mere thought of listening to this album, as it oozes old school metal of the purest fashion with all the requirements. No matter what angle I try to see it, there is only one way to put it: this is a mandatory work of art for heavy metal lovers.

'80s metal, bred in a time when genres and sub-genres were still in their infancy, is often plagued with unfair/erroneous stylistic classification. The first thought that comes to mind is that this album, as it portrays the idea just stated, stems from a restricted number of '80s works that are classification-less old school metal. The fact the music breathes and walks in the realm of unchained creativity only reinforces this reasoning, usic being played that incorporates in itself the stylistic philosophy. That is, heavy metal as a genre being defined through sound: rebellious, fantasist, free, untamable, imaginative, and along those lines. Poetic assertions aside, often described as power metal, which I disagree, Protectors of the Lair is better defined as nwobhm-inspired epic metal (its closest parallel would be Attacker’s “Battle at Helm’s Deep”) with a landmark guitar tone and outlandish vocals, setting it apart from all other albums within the same style and era. The guitar tone has a fuzzy warmth similar to the one being offered to us today by metal punk (one of the smallest genres). The singer graces us with an unpredictability that is a rare feature, switching vocal tones and approaches within the same vocal line throughout the album, from hard-edge melody to battle-ready ferocity and back.

For an '80s metal work to have a lasting (and rediscovery) appeal, one requirement lies within the production. For enthusiasts, the beauty is being the more unique the better (if it is not under an identifiable parachute, then it escapes trends). In Protectors of the Lair, the production is the epitome of challenging time through dodging 1986's conception rules, thus we find the one and only production the kind you can find in true old school metal gems: organic, particular, completely varied to anything else out there, and with a distinct feel to it – the mark of the specificity of the band, the conditions gathered at the time of recording, the smell of beer, cheesy feet and vomit in the carpet – all the conditions that grant a production job the opportunity of being really unique.

Some masterpieces rely on authentic inspiration and the alignment of the stars, however on Protectors of the Lair the touch of genius is a well thought out conception, a closed off and complete package. Protectors of the Lair might as well mean guardians of heavy metal. The cover may not be the greatest thing you have ever seen, but the awkwardness of the aesthetics is one element you will identify in common in truly deserving old school underground metal with the bonus that this album renders itself to a single concept: in the lyrics (a master-class on their own: simple, yet profound), in the musical construction, and the intro and outro. The fact that the songs are placed and paced in a way to provide an other dimensional voyage to the world of Griffin of 1986. This element is what really sets this album apart from the first one and as a prized possession in the universe of underground metal.

Final considerations in the form of "highlights" and "for fans of".

- Highlights: Infinite Voyage, Hunger, and Cursed be the Deceiver.

- For fans of: Omen’s “Battle Cry”, Jag Panzer’s “Ample Destruction”, English Dogs’ “Where Legend Began”, Manilla Road, Savage Grace’s “Master of Disguise”, Hirax, Attacker’s “Battle at Helm’s Deep”, etc…even Agent Steel or Witch Cross.

Give yourself a wonderful gift and enjoy this metal masterpiece!