Released on: 27th April 2018
A Call To Arms is so good they released it not twice, thrice but four times. This time it is remastered for vinyl with some tweaks and additions made to the artwork. Making this the definitive collectors edition and like vinyl this is designed for true audiophiles.
I cannot comment on how this remaster affects the overall sound quality however because I am one: listening to a digital master and, two: not familiar with the original recording and so unable to compare. However I can say that this album is a roller coaster of intense riffs and insane vocals reminiscent of Mercyful Fate and Maiden. With classic arpeggios and pointed hooks Finlands Chevalier pay their respects to the might of heavy metal.
The group do not take long on A Call To Arms to hone their harmonies into a raging storm of melody and percussion. Beating out controlled rhythms alongside untamed vocals. Accompanied always by the harsh guitars that would not sound out of place on a black metal record. Twisting and turning through riffs set like old country roads.
Guitars that bring it home with alacrity. Adorning riffs with tight solos and challenging chord structures. Excluding the awesome vocals they carry most of the melody. And while the bass isn’t exactly an afterthought its presence is not as prevalent or as interesting as the other parts in this honorific composition.
A Call To Arms is a mighty exciting listening experience, digitally or not. With engaging riffs and impressionable vocals it casts a shadow over the flames of hell and proceeds to cook on the flame.
8/10
