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Crom: Vengeance Review
by ©Scarlet Metal: www.scarletmetal.com
November 22, 2008

With 'Vengeance' metal master Walter 'Crom' Gosse shreds the rest into the dust!
To clarify, this release is my 'classic' heavy metal pick of the year, not to be
confused with black metal because this music in no way, shape or form a traditional
black metal release. It is rather in a unique category of it's own, though heavily
inspired by and in the spirit of the great Bathory's Norse pagan metal era along with
equal parts of Iron Maiden, Helloween, Manowar with a constant undercurrent of
NWOBHM flowing beneath it's majestic genius.

Crom has created a masterpiece worthy of the most discriminating black hearted
Hyperborean frost kings and queens. Although this release is basically epic
viking metal there are subtle hints of Celtic and Welsh elements stirred within
the depths of it's dark melodic atmospheric dimensions. For those who have been
yearning for some stellar heavy metal riffing without the usual over the top vox,
this album is sure to be a diabolically satiating and blissful event.

On 'Wings of Fire', no longer trapped within the earth he soars over mountains,
seas and unscalable cliffs in a fret shattering blaze of glory, setting the
heavens aflame. In a final act of proud defiance he rises to his rightful throne
above his burning celestial oppressors as they gaze down upon their precious
human creations entering into centuries of war, plague and famine below.
This first track has the makings of a great heavy metal classic, as it's is the
most mainstream metal and "radio friendly". It's also "the track" that a few
more conventional 'classic' heavy metal superstars will likely want to cover.
A soothing acoustic intro commences the beautifully melancholic song,
'The Restless King'. A ballad worthy of heavy metal hall of fame status,
a fading king of olde calls upon the dark lord of the winds to spare him from
a dishonorable end- as it would have been unthinkable in those days for a
warrior to enter into decrepitude rather than fall upon his own sword.
Wistful in an otherwordly way, the acoustic interlude 'Crom' displays yet
another facet of Walter's immense songwriting, arranging and vocal talents.
'Vengeance Part I- The Cause' is pure exhilirating battle metal! "To the north.."
in an ode to his ancestors, 'Vengeance Part II- And The Effect' gives a sense
of the ancient grandeur of viking long boats sailing over vast ocean swells
with their magnificent sails billowing in the ice cold winds of a treacherous
North Sea. 'Unchain The Hero' blasts forth with galloping guitars as they rush
onto enemy shores while calling out to the gods for a glorious death on the
battlegrounds. 'A Life Unbearable' is yet another impossibly exquisite track
expressing the pain of a young warrior's heart torn apart, knowing he will
never in this wretched life see his beloved "star" again. Walter "Crom' Gosse
gives his most stunning performance of this entire release on 'The Stars Will Fall'-
the magnum opus of this incredible saga, with it's splendid regal baritone intro
spoken by British black metaller Dagon. In all respects this eighth track is
shining brilliance, from Crom's soaring vocals down to his searing guitar leads.
Heed the rolling thunder of 'Hammer Of The Gods', a seeker on a spiritual
quest that ends in the ultimate sacrifice. In keeping with nordic tradition,
this amazing album ends on "Fire'.

Label: Pure Steel Records
Official myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cromsrevenge
PR Manager: Patricia Thomas  patriciathomas@btinternet.com 

1. Wings Of Fire
2. The Restless King
3. Crom
4. Vengeance Part I (The Cause...)
5. Vengeance Part II (...And The Effect)
6. Unchain The Hero
7. A Life Unbearable
8. The Stars Will Fall
9. Hammer Of The Gods
10. Fire

Crom: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Chorus
V. Santura: Guitars, Chorus
Dagon: spoken intro
Seraph: Drums

Cover design by the infamous Kris Verwimp