AGAINST EVIL
“End Of The Line”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

9/10

Against Evil are a heavy metal band from India formed in 2014, releasing their debut E.P. ‘Fatal Assault’ in 2015, and their debut full length album ‘All Hail The King’ in 2018. The bands sophomore album ‘End Of The Line’ was released in 2021.

Heavy, infectious and melodic heavy metal is what India’s Against Evil is all about. Their brand of traditional metal blended with the iconic NWOBHM sound is an awesome blend – with the band even bringing anthemic metal to the fore, with their incredible anthem ‘Metal Or Nothin’…more about that later. ‘Cause for now, the album marches into life with the barn storming ‘The Sound Of Violence’. Wreaking destruction as it strides by, ‘The Sound Of Violence’ is akin to the American style of power metal – a distinctive mix of power, and traditional heavy metal. With a resounding increase in pace, ‘Speed Demon’ is a blistering gallop of ferocious intensity – Against Evil hammering the airways with head bangingly addictive heavy metal. Featuring legendary Mr. Big bass player Billy Sheehan, ‘Out For Blood’ is the most melodic song heard so far. The classic sound of traditional heavy metal features highly, with the instantly recognisable buzzing guitar sound of the iconic NWOBHM a delight to hear. And that chorus, oh so infectious and sing a long able.

With almost five thousand miles between India and the UK, it’s amazing that an Indian band has been so influenced by a metal evolution that began over forty years ago. Against Evil have certainly taken a lot of inspiration from the old guard, such as ‘Maiden and ‘Priest. And talking of ‘Priest – ‘Call To War’ is just like the metal gods – all majestic and full of power. It’s big and bold, anthemic yet melodic, and highly infectious – not to mention addictive. The albums title song ‘End Of The Line’, brings pace back to the album, planting feet firmly on the monitors, and raising fists high in the air. A more menacing vocal performance than heard so far, just adds more weight to the heaviness and a little aggression too.

Soaring into melodic power metal territory, ‘Sword Of Power’ is a perfect fit. The infectious head nodding rhythm is addictive, and Against Evil are showing their prowess at delivering great, crowd pleasing heavy metal. And crowd pleasing is what the band serve up with their incredible anthem ‘Metal Or Nothin’. Stand aside Manowar, Sabaton, Powerwolf, et al, ‘Metal Or Nothin’ is here to unite the metal community, with its rabble rousing, call to arms chorus – “Brothers around the world, Assemble to the call, Louder than the war, Bang your heads in galore, For metal we unite” – simply stunning. And as for the music! Exactly what you’d expect from the anthemic style of metal – bold, brash, and bombastic. All together now “for heavy metal we unite”. The albums final hurrah, is the fast paced ‘Fearless’, returning the mild aggression from earlier. ‘Fearless’ is again traditional heavy metal orientated, with the classic foot on the monitor gallop in full flight.

Overall, thirty five minutes of unabashed heavy metal, one hundred percent infectious, and totally head bang able from start to finish.

TRACKLIST

The Sound Of Violence
Speed Demon
Out For Blood (feat. Billy Sheehan)
Call To War
End Of The Line
Sword Of Power
Metal Or Nothin’
Fearless

https://againstevil.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/againstevil.india

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