by Justin Gaines
– Sr. Columnist —
Five years. That’s how long Widow made us wait for a follow-up to their fantastic 2011 album Life’s Blood. The North Carolina-based traditional metal band hasn’t exactly been idle during that time, playing shows all over the world, but that’s still a long wait between albums. Fortunately it becomes apparent very early on that this new album, titled Carved in Stone, is well worth the wait.
Widow has been carrying the banner for traditional heavy metal for more than 15 years now, but since becoming a three-piece the band seems to have a renewed purpose and a renewed energy. Song for song, Life’s Blood was probably the most energetic and enjoyable old school metal album in a decade, and Carved in Stone has that same energy. It also has that mix of classic metal influences – everything from Iron Maiden to Judas Priest to King Diamond – that makes all of Widow’s albums so much fun.
Carved in Stone kicks things off on a high note, with the headbanging anthem “Burning Star,” and never really lets up from there. “Carved in Stone” and “Wisdom” have a great combination of heaviness and melody, and songs like “Borrowed Time,” “Live By the Flame” and “Of the Blood, We Bind” have the same sense of power and glory that those of us raised on ’80s Heavy Metal know so well. The whole album is really strong, full of killer guitar work (great melodies and flashy solos), heavy rhythms and probably the best vocal performance John E. Wooten has recorded. And once again the production job and cover artwork are worthy of the music.
Time will tell if Carved in Stone is a better album than Life’s Blood. We’ve had five years to play that one, it’s an album that, for many fans, is never too far from the CD player. Carved in Stone is, however, a very welcome arrival and easily the best traditional metal album 2016 has to offer. Fans of bands like Enforcer, Wolf and Cauldron should especially love this album, but just about anyone who appreciates heavy metal with a strong ’80s influence and a modern energy needs to discover Widow.
Genre: Heavy Metal
Band:
John E. Wooten IV (v) (b)
Chris Bennett (g) (b)
Robbie Mercer (d)
Track Listing:
1. Burning Star
2. Carved in Stone
3. Another Time and Place
4. Wisdom
5. Time on Your Side
6. Borrowed Time
7. And We Are One
8. Anomaly
9. Live By the Flame
10. Of the Blood, We Bind
11. Nighttime Turn
12. Let It Burn
Label: Pure Steel Records
Website: www.widowusa.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 9.5/10
