by Justin Gaines
– Senior Columnist —
It’s been a good few years for fans of old school Heavy Metal, with new and exciting traditional Heavy Metal bands emerging from every corner of the globe. Australia has been a surprisingly strong source of these up-and-coming artists. One such band is Sydney-based Under Night’s Cover, who recently released their debut EP titled The March of Avernus.
Under Night’s Cover takes a somewhat un-traditional approach to their traditional metal. Where a lot of bands simply go the NWOBHM meets Thrash Metal route, they opt for a heavier, more epic sound along the lines of Manilla Road and earlier Twisted Tower Dire. Once you get past the brief instrumental opener, the songs on The March of Avernus average about six minutes. They have the kind of high speed riffs and pounding rhythms you’d expect, but the song structures aren’t as conventional. The vocals also set the songs apart, as Johnny Guagliardo sounds like a doom metal singer and doesn’t go for the typical piercing screams. “Shadows in the Dark” could almost pass for a Solitude Aeternus song. Closing number “Oubliette” is the exception to the rule, as it’s a straight-up thrasher that lets guitarists Jacob Cummins and Hayden Weidner shred for six solid minutes.
The March of Avernus, being an EP, gives you just a taste of what this band has to offer. It’s a promising start though, from a band that will definitely bear watching in the years to come. It’s good to see a band that recognizes there’s more to traditional metal than 3-minute Iron Maiden and Exciter worship, especially when the results are this solid. If you’re a fan of the new breed of traditional heavy metal bands, especially bands that go beyond the clichés, Under Night’s Cover is a band that is well worth checking out.
Genre: Heavy Metal, Traditional Metal
Band:
Johnny Guagliardo (v)
Jacob Cummins (g)
Hayden Weidner (g)
Mark Garroway (b)
Alasdair Bellig (d)
Track Listing:
1. Ambush
2. Yesterday…When the Peace Ended
3. Shadows in the Dark
4. Depraved
5. Euphoric Desolation
6. Oubliette
Label: Self-released
Website: www.facebook.com/undernightscover
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7.5/10
