Album review: LORDS OF BLACK – Alchemy Of Souls Part 1

Frontiers [Release date 12.11.20]

Album number 4 from Spanish metallers, Lords Of Black, founded by virtuoso Spanish guitarist and songwriter, Antonio Hernandez.

There’s been the usual pack shuffling as members come and go over the years since formation in 2014. Now you see him, now you don’t, now you see him again vocalist, Ronnie (Rainbow) Romero, the man with the three octave range and a voice of unequalled power, but whose vocals would be difficult to identify in a line up, is back as the band’s frontman.

The album is something of a mixed bag. Underlying every other track is a feeling of urgency, a controlled dash for glory, a well planned sprint to the finishing line. They are all propelled by bold, thrusting riffs, each carrying a sense of threat, but they never truly develop into memorable metal.

Fernando’s guitarwork is high calibre, but a sense of sameness creeps in as ‘Dying To Live Again’, ‘Deliverance Lost’ and ‘Closer To Your Fall’ stomp past you, occasionally changing pace, but never slowing down enough to make an indelible impression.

Still, a handful of tracks offer a form of redemption. ‘Sacrifice’ reins back on the BPMs to great effect, never losing its edge or direction. The commercially inclined ‘Brightest Star’ could be a heavy metal Whitesnake, or a more accessible Masterplan.

And, as you might expect, the epic, grandstanding, ten minute title track is the one we’ve all been waiting for. Primed by the improvisational strum of a Flamenco guitar, they blaze a this-is-how-far-we’ve-come path through thundering, post-Hammerfall musical theatre, giving us a close-up and personal view of their musical chops en route. It would have been a fine way to close the album. Had they not chosen to finish, strangely, with a “piano version” of ‘You Came To Me’. The quiet after the storm, perhaps. ***

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)