review: Antioch -- anthem heavy metal

Antioch: V

Iron Shield Records May 14th 2021

The new Antioch work is a 27-minute recording with the following songs: 1.Hang the Eagle; 2.On a Ledge; 3.A Facade at the Third Castle; 4.Demon Wick; 5.Cloven Hooves. Metal Archives shows that they did an EP in 2014, and they followed it up with three albums in 2015, 2017 and 2019. In 2021 all these five songs are stadium-rock style that are done remarkably well, built to be catchy, for headbanging, for fans of fun, party rocking heavy metal. The first song gets the ball rolling. Such a good start. Then “On a Ledge,” arrives. Very nice. The band itself will tell you that they love the anthem bands like Judas Priest, Scorpions and Manowar, and this song is an anthem. Fans of 1980s anthem heavy metal may also notice some primetime Helix (listen to “Rock You” from Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge; and then listen to Antioch’s “On a Ledge”), and Alice Cooper (the “Constrictor” and “Raise Your Fist and Yell” catchy choruses, and the tone of the voice), and Manowar’s “Fighting the World.” This Canadian band puts on a clinic on how to write anthems. When the fifth song ends, it’s time to hear it all again and again. Expect big hooks, and a great energy that is easy to get into and to remember. This recording brings up an interesting question: Is this band this good on their other recordings?!

Antioch - On A Ledge

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