by Justin Gaines
– Senior Columnist/News Editor —
Traditional heavy metal has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, with classic bands like Saxon, Angel Witch and Satan releasing albums worthy of the NWOBHM glory days, and bands like Enforcer, Visigoth and Skull Fist taking up the banner for a new generation. There are some bands though, that emerged when traditional metal was out of fashion and who deserve some recognition. With more than 15 years under their (bullet) belts, Germany’s Metal Inquisitor is one of those bands. They’re back with a new album, their fourth overall, titled Ultima Ratio Regis.
The phrase “ultima ratio regis” translates to “the last argument of kings,” meaning war. It’s a fitting title for this album, which is full of heavy metal calls to battle. Metal Inquisitor takes so much of their sound from the classic NWOBHM bands, especially the melodic leads, driving rhythms and anthemic lyrical content. Singer “El Rojo” has a voice that’s eerily similar to Bernhard Weiss, so this album often has an Axxis meets Cloven Hoof vibe. Ultima Ratio Regis is also going to have you thinking of classic Judas Priest, DiAnno-era Iron Maiden and Accept, which is never a bad thing. “Burn Them All,” “Call the Banners” and “Death on Demand” are perfect examples of this album’s overall style and spirit, but the whole thing is a headbanging return to an era when “metal” was the only genre tag you needed to know.
Metal Inquisitor is a band like Twisted Tower Dire and Season of the Wolf who stuck to their old school metal guns before the new wave of bands made it cool again. That alone makes them worthy of respect, but the fact that they keep putting out high quality heavy metal albums is what really counts. If you like your metal “true as steel,” you need to get your hands on Ultima Ratio Regis.
Genre: Traditional Metal, Heavy Metal
Band:
Blumi (g)
El Rojo (v)
Havoc (d)
T.P. (g)
Cliff Bubenheim (b)
Track Listing:
1. Confession Saves Blood
2. Burn Them All
3. Call The Banners
4. Black Desert Demon
5. Bounded Surface
6. Death on Demand
7. Self-Denial
8. Servant of State
9. The Pale Messengers
10. Second Peace of Thorn
Label: Massacre Records
Website: www.metalinquisitor.de
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
