The Three Kings

Romulox’s brand of heavy metal is a little tricky to pin down on their first album. The obligatory Maiden/Priest influences are well enforced but they’re also tempered with periodic harsher vocals and a southern slant that reminds me of a more classic metal-leaning Every Time I Die. Comparisons could be made to Hailshot, especially since the two projects share members, and there are also moments on The Three Kings that remind me of Stagecoach Inferno, albeit without the cowboy aesthetic.

Those elements are reinforced by some raw but tight musicianship. The rhythm section is particularly relentless as the drums maintain near constant speeds and the booming bass is ungodly thick while the guitar work maintains a solid balance of choppy flamboyance. The vocals come out rather interesting, sitting prominently in the mix with an array of mid-range wails complemented by periodic growls and the occasional falsetto scream. They may not be the most technically inclined performances, but the workman demeanor is endearing.

The songwriting also reflects the leanness of the album’s half hour runtime. I must admit that it feels more like a beefed-up EP than a proper full-length at times, especially factoring in the bookending instrumentals, but there are plenty of great tracks to work with. “Odin’s Revenge” is a notable highlight as its upbeat pacing and trade-off vocals in the chorus reinforce an anthemic air that is reiterated on the awesomely titled “Thunder Panther.” The sense of dynamics throughout is certainly commendable as songs like “Traitor’s Gate” serve up thrashy fun while others like “The Fall of Gomek” and the closing title track play like atmospheric cooldowns.

When it comes down to it, Romulox puts in a solid first impression with The Three Kings. While it isn’t quite in the same ballpark as the blackened trad I’ve been getting into more lately, it does well in presenting a variety of influences in a fast, high-energy fashion. The musicianship is tight, and one can hear the fun that they’re having with the material at hand. One can also imagine them offering something even stronger with a little more finetuning but in the meantime, I’m sure it’s a blast live.