| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING The Healer Astralive Tavern's Tale Unconscious Power Epic Battle HELSOTT IS: Eric Dow - Vocals Mikey Muller - Bass Cooper Dustman - Drums David Walston - Guitars Steph Robinson - Orchestration, keyboards & vocals (Session) Josiah Guile - Vocals (Session) Release Date: April 28, 2017 Label: M-Theory Audio Website: www.helsott.com www.facebook.com/helsott |  |
First off, I will say straight up that pagan metal isn't really my thing, but I have respect for it and I do like a couple of bands of that style. When you think of pagan metal, you generally think Europe and you think of bands like Ensiferum, Arkona, Eluveitie, Moonsorrow and Turisas. It's not very often you think pagan metal and you think of the U.S, but there are a few American pagan metal bands out there. One in particular is Helsott, which in Old Norse means "fatal illness", hailing from Menifee, California, who classify themselves as pagan death metal, and who have one full-length studio album and two EPs under their belt so far. The band have just released their new EP titled The Healer, which I will talk about here.
Throughout the EP, vocalist Eric Dow seems to channel a number of different vocalists like Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth, John Gallagher of Dying Fetus and Tom Angelripper of Sodom. You sometimes wonder to yourself "Is this still the same singer?" This is one of the things that lets the EP down. A couple of the songs have all three vocal styles featured, which on these songs, doesn't really work. On the bright side though, many of the riffs are fantastic and the solos are excellent. "Tavern's Tale" and "Epic Battle" is where you hear a bit of the traditional folk metal elements.
In conclusion, Helsott is a skilled band, but due to the vocals, I wasn't able to fully enjoy The Healer as much as I hoped I would, but like I said, that doesn't take anything away from the solid riffs, awesome solos and great drumming, which are the only saving graces about the EP. However, check out the EP for yourselves and see what you think. You might just end up enjoying it.
Highs: Great guitar work and drumming.
Lows: Poor vocals
Final Rating: 6/10
Throughout the EP, vocalist Eric Dow seems to channel a number of different vocalists like Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth, John Gallagher of Dying Fetus and Tom Angelripper of Sodom. You sometimes wonder to yourself "Is this still the same singer?" This is one of the things that lets the EP down. A couple of the songs have all three vocal styles featured, which on these songs, doesn't really work. On the bright side though, many of the riffs are fantastic and the solos are excellent. "Tavern's Tale" and "Epic Battle" is where you hear a bit of the traditional folk metal elements.
In conclusion, Helsott is a skilled band, but due to the vocals, I wasn't able to fully enjoy The Healer as much as I hoped I would, but like I said, that doesn't take anything away from the solid riffs, awesome solos and great drumming, which are the only saving graces about the EP. However, check out the EP for yourselves and see what you think. You might just end up enjoying it.
Highs: Great guitar work and drumming.
Lows: Poor vocals
Final Rating: 6/10
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