SUMERLANDS

Personnel: Phil Swanson (vocals); Arthur Rizk (guitar, synthesizer); John Powers (guitar); Justin DeTore (drums). Recording information: Creep Records, Philadelphia, USA. Philly quintet Sumerlands are one of the few bands that could embody the term "nostalgic" and color it with positive connotations. The power metal act showed up out of nowhere in 2014 with its killer "Guardian" demo and immediately conjured fond memories of the best in late-'80s and early-'90s heavy metal. The band was founded by guitarist and renowned producer/engineer Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Eternal Champion, War Hungry) and vocalist Phil Swanson (Hour of 13, Briton Rites). The lineup is rounded out by intrepid drummer Justin DeTore and Leather's guitarist and bassist John Powers and Brad Raub, respectively. Together they revel in lineage sounds from prime Cirith Ungol, Queensr?che, Fates Warning, Manilla Road and more but add enough of their own dynamic and musicality to deliver a compelling debut. The set opens with "The Seventh Seal" and "The Guardian," the former offering swirling guitar breaks and furious chugging, the latter a thick, ultra-heavy midtempo riff and phase-shifted effects on Swanson's clean, expressive vocals. The power riff in "Timelash" gives way to a melodic chorus before the bridge cleverly inverts and syncopates Led Zeppelin's intro from "The Song Remains the Same." Other highlights include the galloping "Spiral Infinite" and "Blind" and the doom-tinged "Lost My Mind" with its sharp-edged fills, slow churning bridge, and unhinged yet majestic chiming dual solo. Swanson is a terrific singer. The timbre of his voice recalls a younger Ozzy Osbourne (circa the early '80s), but his range of expression and phrasing are his own. Rizk's mix places the vocals on par with or just a hair below the dominant guitars, allowing the listener to take in every dark, occult-tinged word clearly. While reference points are great -- it's also easy to pinpoint Lizzy Borden, early Metal Church, and even Candlemass among the band's sources -- they are not the whole picture. Sumerlands are unapologetically arrayed in metal's storied past, but their fine songwriting, excellent musicianship, and wonderful production allow them to stand on their own. The achievement of their debut album lies not in its innovation but in the way the bandmembers execute on what they know and build on those inspirations. This 32-minute full-length should make all but the wretchedly cynical black-clad aficionado sit up and take notice. Sumerlands the album is killer top to bottom. ~ Thom Jurek