by John Kindred
– Publisher —
Guitarist Toby Knapp, alongside bassist Dean Sternberg (Ashes of Ares, ex-Into Eternity), returns with his latest studio project Where Evil Follows. Most recently, Knapp released his second solo album on Shredguy Records, Static Warfare, and released Onward’s lost fourth album New Fathoms Down. With the death of Onward’s vocalist Michael Grant, Knapp officially laid the band to rest.
Knapp united with Dean Sternberg and recorded their debut release titled Portable Darkness. Where Evil Follows picks up the torch lain aside with the burial of Onward. The eight-song studio album firmly is grounded in the traditional Metal-stylings of the ‘80s. And the band covers Black Sabbath’s “Disturbing the Priest.”
The music taps into traditional Heavy Metal, as well as Speed Metal. With the merging of the two genres strongly pushing into the Power Metal genre, Where Evil Follows delivers their best ‘80s Maiden-Priest- Helloween impersonation, while carving out their musical identity.
Sternberg not only offers his bass expertise, he also belts out the lead vocals. Sternberg has worked with Knapp in the past on his solo studio albums Misanthropy Divine and The Campaign. So, the eventuality of the duo releasing a complete album together finally has come to pass. Knapp does what he does best and unleashes steady-handed, fiery riffs and blazingly fast solos. He is so comfortable performing within the different framework of the Metal genres, and it is no surprise that, again, he delivers a rock-solid collection of performances.
Knapp composed seven songs that are driven by the electric mayhem of his guitar. The music never gets stagnant, as the guitar provides a constant flow of rhythmic crunch, melodic passages, moving riffs and solos. The cover of Black Sabbath’s “Disturbing the Priest” fits perfectly alongside the new material. Sternberg penned the lyrics and wrote the vocal melodies. He offers a clean, intelligible vocal delivery as well as a heavy gritty voice that works well within the scope of Knapp’s Metal explorations.
While Portable Darkness clocks in at 35 minutes, Metal fans will embrace Where Evil Follows’ debut album and will be clamoring for more.
Genre: Heavy Metal, Speed Metal
Band:
Toby Knapp (g)
Dean Sternberg (b)(v)
Track Listing:
1. Reborn (4:09)
2. They Came For Us (4:36)
3. Symbiotic (3:24)
4. Lifting The Veil (4:44)
5. A World Away (3:45)
6. Oppressive Grey (5:08)
7. Disturbing The Priest (4:59)
8. Portable Darkness (4:03)
Label: Moribund Records
Web: http://shredguyrecords.bigcartel.com/product/where-evil-follows-portable-darkness-cd
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
