A lot has happened since the tracks for this album were initially drafted. That was in 2018 and ‘The Mighty Wraith’ have undergone changes in both line up and musical direction in the last four years. As members left and were replaced, the band changed from a quintet to a four piece then back to being five again and eventually, only in recent years, the present crew were cemented in. Apart from a couple of well liked EP’s, this is just the second studio album, their debut ‘The Awakening’ was released in 2014 and had a traditional ‘Power Metal’ theme. ‘Elegies’ reflects influences with both past and present band members, so has a more developed and classic ‘heavy’ attitude. Due to the length of time taken to finalise ‘Elegies’ and delays due to Lockdown etc, tracks that were recorded with past members appear on the final production. Mainly by drummer and a founder member Andrew Kirby who left in 2020 and bassist Chris Musgrove who, although left in 2019, also provides backing vocals on a few songs. The work was eventually completed earlier this year and it’s now all go for the release on September 16th. ‘The Mighty Wraith’ and this album have a complex history, so there’s more detailed information listed later.
There’s an epic introduction to ‘Elegies’, it’s an instrumental of huge proportion called ‘To Fall And Rise Again’. This signifies the band in a way, an indication of the up’s and downs, of the bands past. ‘Bridge To Betrayal’ slides in smoothly afterwards, nearly five minutes of powerful destruction that Matt Gore demonstrates with his far reaching vocals. Thumping drums and more frantic pace for ‘Face In The Mirror’ with an overlying guitar sound, that implies more of a classic stadium climate. It sure has a racing spirit about it. Menacing and harrowing chords, with no remorse for ‘Deceitful Intentions’. A mass of determined lines from Matt, that pour anger and rage over the intense guitar strings. The album has been conceived through personal struggles and loss and that’s defined perfectly here. One track the band are particularly proud of is ‘Tyrants Demise’ as it was given a total overhaul during lockdown. A resilient portrayal that combines the talents of all the band and the dual axes of A.Z Potter and Jamie Williams are particularly meticulous.
‘Seasons Of Sorrow’ is a turn around, treading slowly with more pressurised lyrics. It’s heavy, crushing in fact, like an approaching storm. A dark and melancholy atmosphere, that the title perfectly depicts. The guitars strike early on ‘Momentum’ riffing is their business and so forth. I love the vibe on this track, it’s both breakneck and slamming, but hits the brakes at the right moments. The following ‘Purity’ takes the theme even further. Stacks of darker risings and a harder edge to it, it’s another lengthy one, as with many on ‘Elegies’ it’s well over six minutes. It’s a return to the classic thrusting of heavy metal on ‘Witching Hour’. The rhythm is melting and superb and the guitars waste no time getting into an engrossing partnership. Steadfast bass from Chris Musgrove and the dominant sticks of Andrew Kirby, both leaving a legacy, on this number. Last up is ‘Crossing Over’ and this defines the albums title. Elegies are mournful laments and this is summed up with this final, incredibly poignant masterpiece.
From the West Midlands, this is one band that have overcome a pile of obstacles, from being forced early on to change their original name (as a band already held the ‘Wraith’ title), to line up changes and delays. But finally ‘Elegies’ is complete and it is rammed with ten tracks, of such intensity, that you feel the pressure being released, as each is belted out. It’s a beast of an album, no mistake about it and one that will sit perfectly among both your classic metal and rock collections.
‘It’s a beast of an album, no mistake about it’
Highlights – Bridge To Betrayal, Tyrants Demise, Momentum, Witching Hour.
Track listing – To Fall and Rise Again. Bridge to Betrayal. Face in the Mirror. Deceitful Intentions. Tyrants’ Demise. Seasons of Sorrow. Momentum. Purity. Witching Hour. Crossing Over.
ELEGIES ALBUM CREDITS
Matt Gore – Lead and backing vocals. Az Potter – Lead and rhythm guitars. Jamie Williams – Lead and rhythm guitars. Chris Musgrove (left band 2019) – Bass. Andrew Kirby (left band 2020) – Drums.
Backing vocals performed by: Matt Gore, Az Potter, Chris Musgrove, Jamie Williams, Simon Baker
Lyrics by: Matt Gore, Simon Baker
ELEGIES was mixed and mastered by producer Jonny Hands
CURRENT BAND MEMBERS – Matt Gore – Lead vocals. Az Potter – Lead and rhythm guitar. Jamie Williams – Lead and rhythm guitar. Ash Bentley – Bass. Jake Withers – Drums
THE ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW will take place at Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton on Saturday 17th September 2022, featuring special guests Eradikator and Awaken Eternity. TICKETS HERE: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/newhamptonartsce…/t-xmvnjam
CD pre-orders of Elegies are available from the web store along with two new t-shirt designs available to order – one inspired by new Elegies song Deceitful Intentions, and the other being the fan-favourite Dragon t-shirt finally back in stock! CD pre-orders will arrive approximately one week early and they are aiming to dispatch all t-shirt pre-orders by late August.
All CD and t-shirt pre-orders placed before 29th August qualify for a 20% discount as a thank-you for supporting us with the release of Elegies. STORE: https://themightywraith.com/store
