Serpent's Knight (Washington state, USA)

At Metal Archives a certain individual named DeathRiderDoom has written the following: Like a bunch of ghastly demons burting forth from the rickety doors of an abandoned Victorian era American country house, comes this collection of ghoulish cuts from cult metal heroes Serpent's Knight. More than a pretty name, the uproarious SK is probably better known as the band of vocalist Warrel Dane, in his pre-Nevermore, and even pre-Sanctuary days. However, while Danes horrific, demon screachings do have a lot to do with the badassery that is SK, the band largely succeeds due to a culmination of aspects - all in all demonstrating a prime example of underground, ghastly and spinechilling USPM. Hailing from the fertile Northwestern scene that included Heir Apparent, Glacier and the mighty 'Ryche, 'Knight were part of an explosion of heavy and power metal bands of the period, contributing to creating a classic sound which would go on to play part of the wet dreams of many a metalhead even decades later.

The hauntingly titled 'Released from the Crypt' is a collection of demo quality cuts from the bands classic period, and though being somewhat restrained from full potential in their demo-ness, the overall package succeeds in being solid example of metal's best style; the US power. Right from the occult intro samples and effects, where 'Knight sets the tone with demonic voices preaching ancient verses of woe, and insane, horror-filmesque melodies build, goosebumps start to form on ones skin. What follows is perhaps best desrcibed as the soundtrack to entering said, dusty, desolate and dilapidated manor house, smelling the musty air, and opening the basement door, only to unleash a horde of screaching howling ghosts and demons, the centre one being a pale skinned, opaque, undead Warrel Dane! This music is the aural equivalent of horror and the occult, as much as Goblin or Zombi, but better - in heavy metal form!

Serpents Knight crafts song after song of demonic power metal here, with Dane's demonic tones over a wall of crunching riffs with parts of Savatage and Mercyful Fate to them. For comparison, the sound found on here is a wonderful mix of Fatal Violence, Enforcer, Disorder, Sinister Angel, Syrus, Graven Image, Sanctuary, Oliver Magnum, Invid, and others. There's no point in assessing th quality of the songs one by one, but the consistency is high, and given the relative handicap of the recording quality, the album succeeds to no end. The songs evoke storng, dark imagery and feel haunting and vivid. Guitars are biting and forceful, and the overall sound is rough and crunching, with bass at a nice level of presence along with drums. A record I like as much as almost any USPM offering, this one is an absolute must and a masterwork of extremely high caliber. We have a lot of creative drive and balls given the date, and 50 minutes worth of solid power metal that went on to forge a strong cult staus for the band. Essential.

Serpent’s Knight (1983-1985/1989) “Silent Knight... Of Myth And Destiny” (Full Album)

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