BOTH GARGOYLE RECORDS LP & EP NEW UNPLAYED 1988 HEAVY POWER METAL
$
25
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SHIPPING DOMESTIC $ 5.00 PLUS $ 1.00 EACH ADDITIONAL . FOREIGN $ 20.00 PLUS $ 7.00 EACH ADDITIONAL. RECORD NEW COVER MINT REVIEW LP US POWER METAL BANDS might not ever have been in short supply, but there were simply so few bands that managed to make their marks before Europe essentially took over the game. Despite their good intentions, so few bands were producing the level of vocal quality needed compared to Fates Warning, Lizzy Borden, Omen or Riot. Gargoyle, a fairly obscure act from Oregon who likely had ambitions to lock horns with the bigger bands of their region like Queensryche, Fifth Angel or Sanctuary, are one such band. Now, vocalist Tim Lachman is not a slouch, he can hit a reasonable height with a shrill delivery. But he works best at an octave below the power metal or NWOBHM gods ala Bruce Dickinson, Geoff Tate and Rob Halford, and perhaps he is most comparable to a James Rivera of Helstar, especially since the riffing of Kevin Sanders and Pat Lachman (the same Pat Lachman that would front the post-Pantera Damageplan, and return to the guitar for a spot in Halford) has a similar level of ambition and classical influence to that Texas legend. Yes, if Gargoyle shines anywhere, it's in the guitars, which balance some fairly well composed rhythms with a slew of melody integrated far beyond the mere leads. There was time and effort sunk into these 9 songs, and it shows. A track like the charging "Final Victory" delivers composition on a nearly Helstar level, circa A Distant Thunder or Nosferatu, but the band is not nearly so acrobatic, and Tim is just not the equal of James Rivera. There is certainly an added level of complexity here beyond the typical NWOBHM worship of 80s-era . Tracks like "Out from the Shadows", the pumping mid-paced "Blind Faith" and the feisty if predictable speed metal of "The Burning" are ample evidence of a potential. REVIEW EP musical speaks of early Queensryche, Fates Warning, and Helstar releases. Yeah, they’re quite capable playing their compelling brand of speed-smidged, traditionally wrought heavy/power metal, and these three tracks are an enjoyable listen. “The Burning” and “Final Victory” are headier strains, stoutly motoring along with cloudless melody and steadily-picked haste that brags a catchiness to them. Calmer “Look Homeward” is a portrayal of classic Queensryche, subtle and emotive that coalesces with the chorus, with a burst of energy to drive it home. On the frontman front, Tim Lachman has one of those signature voices developed distinctly for the style, tone-perfect and clear like a John Arch or slightly less-delicate Geoff Tate. BOTH NEW NEVER PLAYED
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