ANCIENT EMPIRE
“ETERNAL SOLDIER”
Album Review by Piers Renfree

8.5/10

Formed in 2014, Ancient Empire are a three piece band from San Francisco in the USA, comprising of Joe Liszt – vocals, guitar and bass guitar, Steve Pelletier – drums and Rich Pelletier – vocals. Released on Stormspell Records, “Eternal Soldier” is their fourth album to date and continues the ongoing saga of the struggle between humanity and alien invaders, that has been the subject for the lyrics of their previous three albums; “When Empires Fall” – 2014, “Other World” – 2016 and “The Tower” – 2017.

This album is heavily influenced by classic metal bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Iced Earth. Guitar solos, harmonies and trade-offs out of the Glenn Tipton/KK Downing and Adrian Smith/Dave Murray school books a plenty, plus nice, clean vocals. Opening song and album title track “Eternal Soldier” is a fast paced rocker, that is a mix of Iced Earth and Iron Maiden. There’s a nice time change for the chorus. After the first chorus, the guitar drops and the bass and drums build to the second verse.

“War Without End” is the second song, and is fast paced, very Iced Earth in style. Guitar picking leads into an epic, yet melodic intro for the third song “For The One I Lost”. Again, this song has a strong Iced Earth style, the driving riff leads another fast paced song. Power chords and drums accompany a widdly guitar intro into yet another fast paced song, “Shadow From The Past”, is the fourth song. Judas Priest/Maiden-esque guitar harmonies enhance this Maiden influenced song and the Iced Earth style ending shows how naturally these styles work together.

Drums introduce the fifth song “Time Itself”. A chugging, driving guitar riff effortlessly leads another fast paced song along with Maiden-esque guitar harmonies in there. Keyboard and gentle picking then joined by a nice melodic solo lead you to believe that we have come to a slower song. “Upon This Withered Earth” the sixth song is a fast paced song, however, with a very Iced Earth driving riff. The second verse is a bit Judas Priest in style and it works. The song fades into acoustic strumming.

Drums and a quick riff introduce the Seventh Song, “I, Alone” which is another fast paced song (lets face it, ALL the songs are fast paced), but the pace slows and the guitar and bass drop for the chorus, which is driven by the drums. Eighth and final song “The Fifth Column” is fast paced and you can hear the Iced Earth influence in this song. Overall, an interesting album. The musicians here are all top notch and the songs here should go down well in the live arena. I look forward to the next album.

TRACKLIST

Eternal Soldier
War Without End
For The One I Lost
Shadow From The Past
Time Itself
Upon This Withered Earth
I, Alone
The Fifth Column

https://ancientempire.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ancientempiremetal/

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