The Spider Queen

Ignitor sees the return of a pair of thrash metal icons to the fold; guitarist Batlord (i.e. Stewart Lawrence) of cajun redneck thrashers Agony Column has been with this band for all three of their albums, and ex-Watchtower screamer Jason McMaster replaces former female vocalist Erika Swinnich. Those accustomed to McMaster know what to expect, an over the top performance from his shrieking, cutting vocals, and they can often prove distracting on The Spider Queen, though it is interesting to hear his various ranges colliding across the tracks.

As for the band, they perform an old school US power/speed metal that recalls bands like Omen, Savage Grace, or Lizzy Borden, but with a modern tone and little propensity to fly off the handle (McMaster has that covered). The riffing is constrained and fits the retrogression of the band, but there are some really bad tracks on the album that soil even its stronger moments. Where "Evil Calling" and title track "The Spider Queen" might adequately rock out the nostalgia for melodic 80s power and horrible cover art, you have a track like "I Never Knew", with its lamenting guitars and really bad vocals over the verse. The vocals just feel detached on a number of the tracks, absurd despite McMaster's capabilities.

The album has a moderate mix with flowing, melodic guitars and crashing drums, but I often don't feel they support McMaster's insanity, as he weaves through snarls, wavering lower range lines, and a Fleming Ronsdorf (ex-Artillery) shriek. It's not quite the ironic metal mockery of, say, Three Inches of Blood, but it did not feel focused to my ears.

Highlights: Evil Calling, The Spider Queen, Rune of Power

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com