Shadow of the Sword

New Zealand speed metal titans Stälker offer thrilling debut Shadow Of The Sword. Is it an instant classic? Shocked To Death video debut.

Since the beginning in the late 60's, heavy metal music as a collective has often spawned various sub-genres of music which at times often confuse, mislead and misinterpret classification and sound, causing disagreements, discussions and among all the chaos forgetting the integrity behind the masterful musicianship which it once offered, finally here we have Stälker from New Zealand who have risen from the shadows to identify just what heavy metal as a culture should be an example of and deliver sonic perfection with their instant classic debut titled Shadow of the Sword.

Stälker's debut is simply incredible and justify what what we have all been waiting for. Their sound adapts the pinnacle of 80's speed metal, yet harnesses the perfection of what the generation of 'today's bands' have brandished, thus eclipsing the genre, reclaiming the identity to it's integral stand-point and this is the sound and feeling I remember when I picked up my first Judas Priest record and became devoted to the music.

Shadow of The Sword offers more than just a speed metal record, it is a journey in to sound and mystery with tales of darkness, destruction, mutilation and total annihilation that could accompany an apocalypse should the doomsday arrival happen. Or your classic horror movie soundtrack.

When I first heard the single: "Total Annihilation", I couldn't believe the auditory excellence exhibited by lead vocalist and bassist Daif King. The controlled, yet primitive raging screams accentuated in sync through lead guitarist Chris Calavrias whose ability to push the pace and pin-point exact tenacity cemented my curiosity to dive further in to the album and what came next was totally unexpected.

"Shocked To Death" offered by Stälker as their debut video to showcase Shadow Of The Sword a visual exhibition that depicts the exact experience of 80's heavy-music videos with horrific sequences of pentagrams, a nun who come to naught and the band Stälker displaying their sacrifice and devotion to the music with their ut-most power and relentless speed.

Shadow Of The Sword continues to call forces from beyond the spectral zephyr as the debut lures you in it to it's ominous and bountiful galore with masterful tracks such as their tribute to the iconic The Evil Dead movie film by Sam Raimi, theme (originally written by Jo LoDuca), envisioned musically here with Stälker's ferocious suspense and intense drive, delivering a fitting tribute to an iconic name-sake."Satanic Panic" originally premiered as Stälker's debut offering , musically the song was manic and lusting as it's demo format, finally taking on identity as an integral theme developing with the album version on Shadow of the Sword allowing the following tracks "The Mutilator", "Shocked to Death" to possess your senses.

Furthermore Stälker's debut embellishes 10 new and original songs which each push the pace and up the ante at each turn, daring you to listen from start to finish. Devilishly daring and enticing as an original speed metal classic.

Recommended songs: Total Annihilation, Shocked To Death, Evil Dead, Demon Dawn, Steel God.